Seismological Study of the Iceland Hotspot: Installation of a 30-station Broadband Network and Initial Results.

W. Jason Morgan, Gillian R. Foulger, Bruce R. Julian, Guust Nolet, Kristin Vogfjord, Ragnar Stefansson, Steinunn Jakobsdottir, Palmi Erlendsson, Sturla Ragnarsson, Bergur H. Bergsson, Matt Pritchard, Richard M. Allen.

Dept. Geosciences, Princeton University. Dept. Geological Sciences, University of Durham U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park. Vedurstofa Islands, Reykjavik.

Abstract submitted to AGU Fall Meeting, December 1996.

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A nation-wide array of 35 broadband, digital seismic stations was installed throughout Iceland at intervals of about 50 km in the summer of 1996, using IRIS-PASSCAL equipment. The sensors include Guralp 40T, 3-ESP and 3-T models. The network will be operated in continuous-data recording mode for two years. The primary objectives are study of the structure of the Iceland hotspot and mantle plume, and local seismicity. Twenty-four stations are installed at farms and other buildings where mains electricity is available, five are installed at remote locations in the interior and powered by solar panels and six are installed in seismic vaults belonging to the permanent Icelandic SIL network. One station is installed on a nunatak on the Vatnajokull icecap. The stations will be serviced every 3 months, including the remote stations in the interior, which are inaccessible because of snow for 9 months of the year. Early data from the network confirms a substantial arrival-time delay for teleseisms arriving in Iceland.

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© Richard M Allen