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The symmetry of Iceland around the Reykjanes Ridge

Extending the Reykjanes Ridge, a symmetric picture of Iceland emerges. This is consistent with the presumption that the two convection rolls shaping the Reykjanes Ridge extend under Iceland in the way as drawn with red line across Iceland from SW to NE.

The symmetry around the Reykjanes Ridge extended line (red).

The Icelandic platform forms an ellipse around the extension, aligned E-W. The two volcanoes of Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull are on the NS axis of the ellipse. The two outposts of Icelandic volcanoes, Snæfellsjökull and Snæfell, are equadistant from the NS axis, and located exactly on the same latitude. If the Kolbeinsey Ridge is also extended, it is found reaching the same central point, merging with the NS axis of the ellipse and the volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. This high degree of consistency is in conformity with the analysis of the convection rolls below Iceland.

From: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Volcanic_system_of_Iceland-Map-en.svg

A map showing volcanic zones, for comparing with the drawing on Google Earth picture shown above.

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The geothermal resources of Reykjavík in the Mosfellsbær area

We know why geothermal heat is found in the area of Reykir near Mosfellsbær, providing Reykjavik with about half of the geothermal energy needed to heat the city. It is explained for instance in an article by Daníel Einarsson (3D modelling of the Reykir geothermal areas in Mosfellssveit, Iceland).

The map generated by Daníel Einarsson, showing the geothermal areas in Mosfellssveit

This shows clearly the NW-SE alignment of the area, even though it is associated with a fissure swarm oriented NE-SW. Therefore a comparison with the mantle convection rolls alignment is needed to see the reason for this topography and arrangement of geothermal resources within the area.

The NW-SE oriented convectin rolls division lines near Mosfellsbær

The alignment is found to be the same as of the calculated NW-SE lines. Therefore it can be reasoned that the geothermal activity is associated with three factors. First an old high temperature area that has cooled down, second the fissure swarm from Krýsuvík and Trölladyngja, and thirdly from the effect of the edge of the relevant polygon, whereas two division lines of convection rolls are found underneath the geothermal fields.

https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/31403/1/MSC-Dan%C3%ADelEinarsson_Spring2018_3D%20modelling%20of%20the%20Reykir%20geothermal%20areas%20in%20Mosfellssveit%2C%20Iceland.pdf

Here is the article by Daníel Einarsson.
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The distribution of volcanic zones and earthquake zones in Iceland

The convection rolls underneath Iceland shape the volcanic and earthquake zones. A line can be drawn between the tectonic plates, and then the interaction between teconic drift and convection rolls can be derived. Here the main zones have been marked on the map:

Here the relationship is shown between Reykjanes Ridge, Reykjanes Seismic Zone, South Iceland Seismic Zone, East Volcanic Zone, North Volcanic Zone, Borgarfjörður Seismic Zone, West Volcanic Zone, Snæfellsnes Volcanic Belt, Skagafjörður-Hofsjökull Volcanic Belt, Öræfajökull Volcanic Belt and Tjörnes Fracture Zone.

Without this grid, the reasons for the location of all those volcanic zones and earthquake zones become obscure. The similarity between the position of SISZ with Hekla and BSZ with Hallarmúli is pointed out specially. Hekla and Öræfajökull appear at the same kind of crossings, 3° apart on the same latitude. The difference between the mountains can be explained, as Hekla is at the edge of a rift zone, whereas Öræfajökull is not. Tjörnes Fracture Zone is aligned along the convection division lines. The South Iceland Seismic Zone polygon is found both south and north of the division line of the tectonic plates. The southern end drifts eastwards, while the northern end drift has a component to the west. Therefore it breaks in the middle in a way known as the bookshelf pattern.

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How are the Reykjanes Seismic Zone and the South Iceland Seismic Zone connected?

The seismic zones of Reykjanes and South Iceland are similar, yet the SISZ is much more prominent than the RSZ. A certain degree of continuity is suggested on this map:

Suggested continuity of Reykjanes Seismic Zone and South Iceland Seismic Zone.

This suggestion is based on the mapping of faults in the area:

Red line added to the original map.

The accurate bending of the RSZ is suggested by a central axis through 1/3 the length of the SW side of the Reykjanes Polygon, and the ends are found at the corners near Hveragerði and of the Reykjanes Ridge as shown on the map.

To further compare:

Comparing convection rolls grid and earthquakes from Nov 2019 – Feb 2020

Earthquake overview map from: https://skjalftalisa.vedur.is/?fbclid=IwAR1-djD6-Pb_3jLFDBawzLYunVOTjA9nuXbDtArQXK43EbhFzUgvIphzFAo#/page/map

Therefore the conclusion:

The Reykjanes Seismic Zone as compared with the South Iceland Seismic Zone.
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What is special about the location of the Reykjanes intrusion, causing uplift

Looking at the grid of division lines of convection rolls, along with the division line within the tectonic plate, we can see crossings exactly where the uplift is taking place.

Crossings between tectonic plates division and mantle rolls division lines on the Reykjanes Peninsula

The regular bow of tectonic division line from Hveragerdi to the Reykjans Ridge is mirrored around the point close to the Blue Lagoon and Grindavik.