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Scientists observe the Earth grow a new layer under an Icelandic volcano [1]

Submitted by Galactic Free Press on Mon, 12/15/2014 - 11:47

New research into an Icelandic eruption has shed light on how the Earth's crust forms, according to a paper published today in Nature. 

When the Bárðarbunga volcano, which is buried beneath Iceland's Vatnajökull ice cap, reawakened in August 2014, scientists had a rare opportunity to monitor how the magma flowed through cracks in the rock away from the volcano. The molten rock forms vertical sheet-like features known as dykes, which force the surrounding rock apart.

Study co-author Professor Andy Hooper from the Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET) at the University of Leeds explained: "New crust forms where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other. Mostly this happens beneath the oceans, where it is difficult to observe.

Read more... [2]

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  • The Watchers [3]

Source URL: //soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/scientists-observe-earth-grow-new-layer-under-icelandic-volcano

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[1] //soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/content/scientists-observe-earth-grow-new-layer-under-icelandic-volcano
[2] http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/adorraeli/tsEq/~3/o83TJz-EyME/
[3] //soundofheart.org/galacticfreepress/category/type-post/science/watchers