|
|
|
|
|
GrmsvtnGeneral information The Grmsvtn (Icelandic vatn, or "lake") are lakes in Iceland. They lie in the highlands of Iceland at the northwestern side of the Vatnajkull glacier and are covered by its ice cap. Under them, there is the big magma chamber of a powerful volcano. The location of the lakes is , at an elevation of 1725 m (5659 ft). Jkulhlaup Eruptions under the icecap regularly give rise to glacial bursts, known in Icelandic as jkulhlaups. Eruptions may melt enough ice to fill the Grmsvtn caldera with water, and the pressure may be enough to suddenly lift the icecap, allowing huge quantities of water to escape rapidly. As a result, the Grmsvtn caldera is monitored very carefully by scientists. When a large eruption occurred in 1996, geologists knew well in advance that a glacial burst was imminent. It didn't occur until several weeks after the eruption finished, but the monitoring allowed the closing of the Icelandic ring road (Hringvegur) when the burst occurred. A section of road across the Skeiar sandur was washed away in the ensuing flood, but no-one was hurt. Last eruptions A week-long eruption occurred at Grmsvtn starting on 28 December 1998, but no glacial burst occurred. In November 2004 another eruption of about one week began. Volcanic ash from the eruption was falling as far away as mainland Europe, and causing short-time disruption to airline traffic into Iceland. But no glacier run followed the eruption. Bacteria in the lakes An interesting discovery was made in summer 2004 by scientists concerning the Grmsvtn: For the first time, they found bacteria in the water of lakes under a glacier. The lakes dont freeze totally because of the volcanic heat which perhaps made thrive the bacteria. These are also able to survive on a very low quantity of oxygen. The scientists see a connection to the planet Mars, because there are also traces of volcanism and glaciers to be found. So this could be one of the missing links to the existence of life on Mars. From: http://www.nature.com/news/2004/040712/pf/040712-6_pf.html See also External links
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|