The Yellowstone area can be studied with a simple formula:
Many volcanic sites in Iceland can be calculated in the same way. For instance Hekla is aligned according the same formula as shown below.
In exactly the same way, the alignment of Hekla can be calculated, and its counterpart 30° farther to the east also! Without the knowledge of the forces underneath no one would see the resemblance.
All those places are aligned at an angle exactly between the direction of convection rolls and EW-axis. Yellowstone is in the middle of a diamond-shaped polygon, providing the basic framework for the surface tectonics.
Published by Steingrimur Thorbjarnarson
I am a geologist, graduated from the University of Iceland, and taught geology for a few years. I have gained some knowledge about Earth's inner structure, so I provide this website as my contribution to answer one of the greatest questions remaining within the realm of geoscience. Experiments show that the mantle should form convection rolls when close to the melting point. I took this literally, and calculated the dimensions and shape of these mantle convection rolls. Then I compare that model with the surface. This makes it possible to provide many interesting examples about geology found on my blog.
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