Magma “bright spots” mapped beneath Krafla, Iceland, using RVSP imaging of reflected waves from microearthquakes

• Published in: Journal of volcanology and geothermal research 2020-02, Vol.391, p.106365, Article 106365
• Main Authors: Kim, Doyeon, Brown, Larry D., Árnason, Knútur, Gudmundsson, Ólafur, Ágústsson, Kristján, Flóvenz, Ólafur G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Magma; Magma chamber model; Microearthquake; Reflection imaging; Vertical Seismic Profiling
• ISSN: 0377-0273; 1872-6097; 1872-6097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2018.04.022

The geometry and distribution of magma in the crust remain controversial topics with recent studies questioning the role of large magma chambers. In this investigation, high-resolution 3D reflection images of crustal discontinuities beneath the Krafla geothermal field in northern Iceland were generated by applying Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) techniques adapted from reflection seismology to microearthquake data. Exceptionally large amplitude reflections (bright spots) at a depth of 2.1 km correlate with rhyolitic magma encountered in the IDDP-1 borehole. Although similarly bright reflectors at about 4 km correspond in depth to the top of an inferred magma chamber from previous seismic studies, the scattered reflectivity that persists beneath this deeper reflector argues for a distributed magma system rather than a large feeder chamber. •New technique for high resolution reflection imaging of magmatic systems using microearthquakes and dense seismic arrays.•Large amplitude reflections (bright spots) correspond to magma encountered by IDDP-1 drillhole.•A series of sill-like reflectors at various depths supports a distributed magma source at Krafla.