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The millennium eruption of Hekla in February 2000

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Abstract

The 18th historic eruption of Hekla started on 26 February, 2000. It was a short-lived but intense event, emitting basaltic andesitic (55.5 wt% SiO2) pyroclastic fragments and lava. During the course of the eruption, monitoring was done by both instruments and direct observations, together providing unique insight into the current activity of Hekla. During the 12-day eruption, a total of 0.189 km3 DRE of magma was emitted. The eruptive fissure split into five segments. The segments at the highest altitude were active during the first hours, while the segments at lower altitude continued throughout the eruption. The eruption started in a highly explosive manner giving rise to a Subplinian eruptive column and consequent basaltic pyroclastic flows fed by column collapses. After the explosive phase reached its maximum, the eruption went through three more phases, namely fire-fountaining, Strombolian bursts and lava effusion. In this paper, we describe the course of events of the eruption of Hekla and the origin of its magma, and then show that the discharge rate can be linked to different style of eruptive activity, which are controlled by fissure geometry. We also show that the eruption phases observed at Hekla can be linked with inferred magma chamber overpressure prior to the eruption.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to think James White and two anonymous reviewers for a thorough and stimulating review. We are also thankful for the stimulating discussion with Halldór Ólafssona and Erik Sturkell during the preparation of this manuscript. Landsvirkjun and Landgræðsla ríkisins are thanked for field support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, Askja Sturlugata 7, 101, Reykjavík, Iceland

    Ármann Höskuldsson, Níels Óskarsson, Rikke Pedersen, Karl Grönvold & Rósa Ólafsdóttir

  2. The Icelandic Meteorological Office, Bústaðavegur 9, 150, Reykjavík, Iceland

    Kristín Vogfjörð

Authors
  1. Ármann Höskuldsson
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  2. Níels Óskarsson
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  3. Rikke Pedersen
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  4. Karl Grönvold
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  5. Kristín Vogfjörð
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  6. Rósa Ólafsdóttir
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Correspondence to Ármann Höskuldsson.

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Editorial responsibility: JDL White

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Höskuldsson, Á., Óskarsson, N., Pedersen, R. et al. The millennium eruption of Hekla in February 2000. Bull Volcanol 70, 169–182 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-007-0128-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00445-007-0128-3

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