Multi-scale seismic imaging of the crust and mantle beneath Iceland

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This project will image (in 3D) the crust and upper mantle beneath Iceland using multi-scale seismic imaging. Theconfluence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and a deep sourced mantle plume has given rise to enhanced melting that hasformed Iceland, generating large volcanic fields, producing thicker than normal oceanic crust. Ergo, this research will playa crucial role in answering key questions on how the interaction between the ridge and plume leads to the growth ofrelatively thick crust, with a focus on trying to link processes that take place in the asthenosphere, mantle lithosphere andcrust, through the joint exploitation of local earthquake, regional and teleseismic sources. During the project, broadbandseismometers will be deployed and maintained, specifically the Reykjanes Peninsula and Northern Volcanic Zone. Datawill be added to the catalogue of data collected by the Cambridge Volcano Seismology Group. The Fast-MarchingTomography software package will be utilised (and potentially further developed) to produce a seismic model of the crustand upper mantle through multiple data types, including body wave traveltimes and surface wave dispersion. Multipleseismic data types will improve the ability to image the crust and upper mantle and provide higher resolution in regionswith dense data coverage. The resultant models will be compared with results from other geophysical and geochemicalmethods (such as gravity, heat flow trace element and isotope ratio analysis).