Crustal structure of iceland - confronting the current controversy withintegrated geophysics

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Project objective

Research objectives and content Geoscience research has yielded two contrasting hypotheses for the structure of the crust and upper mantle in Iceland: a traditional 'thin crust' model and a rival 'thick crust' model. This project will test both hypotheses and determine the 'true' structure beneath Iceland. This fundamental research challenge will significantly advance our understanding of geological processes in Iceland and of mantle plumes. It will contribute to understanding volcanic activity and geothermal resources. A wealth of geoscience data of various kinds exists for Iceland, including seismic, gravity and magnetic data. In addition, new results are flowing rapidly from the Iceland Hotspot project, led by Univ. Durham, U. K., that is collecting earthquake recordings on a dense seismometer network covering all Iceland. It is now urgent to integrate all available geoscientific data to derive a self-consistent model for Iceland. Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact) Objective: To acquire Post-doctoral research experience on a challenging project, thereby establishing myself as a researcher. Benefit: I will develop further the integrated geophysical approach of my Ph.D. topic and extend my skills to new techniques of geophysical data processing. Impact: The work will contribute to a subject of great international interest and will generate a comprehensive model for Iceland that will be of use to many subsequent researchers. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)

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Participants

• UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM · DURHAMCoordinatorUnited Kingdom

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