Reykjanes

Virtual

Field trip

Welcome to the Reykjanes Virtual Field Trip!

The Reykjanes virtual field trip consists of DEMs, sketches, and videos and photos of Ben and company running around various locations in Reykjanes. Following each video, there are a series of questions for you to answer. You will have to submit your work when you complete this section. To do this, you will be able to submit your answers at the very end of the exercise.

The Journey

The Goods

This first video is a general introduction to Reykjanes and outlines the goals of this section of the virtual field trip. Watch the video, and make sure you pay attention to where Reykjanes peninsula is located! This was filmed with Gro, a post-doc researcher from the University of Iceland at the tip of Reykjanes peninsula, where the lava flow meets the sea.

The Journey

Can you find the Reykjanes fissure zone on the map?

Click on the map below to locate Reykjanes Peninsula. A red circle means that you're wrong, try again!

Where does the name "Reykjanes" come from?

Reykjanes Peninsula, or Reykjanesskagi in Icelandic, means "Smoky Point".

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is located on the peninsula and its name literally translates to "Smoky Bay". That's a lot of smoke - and you know what they say, where there's smoke there's fire!

The Brain Poke

What do you know about fissure eruptions? There's no right or wrong answer, we're just curious to know what you do! Jot down a few ideas, and then you'll be able to share with others after.

Continue

The Goods

Map scale features of pahoehoe lava flows

Pahoehoe lava flows have distinctive features. Watch the following videos and pay attention to the geomorphology of the landscape and to the features that are typical of pahoehoe lava flows. This was filmed at Stampar, 5 km up the coast from the previous video, near the bridge between continents.

This is a 360° video. To pan around the scene use the mouse and to zoom pinch two fingers on your touchpad. Listen for cues from Ben - he'll tell you when is pointing to something, so make sure that you turn the view to look at where he is pointing!

The Knowledge tester

Which of the following best describes the topography of Reykjanes Peninsula?

Nice! Check out an artist's impression! Take note of what happens when the dyke hits the ocean- this will be important later!

Oh snap! Either watch the video again, or use this artist's impression to help you describe the topography of Reykjanes Peninsula.

The Brain Poke

Why do you think obvious channels at the surface are rare at Reykjanes ? Have a go at answering this, then you can add your answer to the others and comment on them!

Continue

The Goods

Outcrop scale features

Pahoehoe lava flows have distintive features that help you interpret how they formed! Look for outcrop scale features within this video.

This is a 360° video. To pan around the scene use the mouse and to zoom pinch two fingers on your touchpad. Listen for cues from Ben - he'll tell you when is pointing to something, so make sure that you turn the view to look at where he is pointing!

The Knowledge tester

From the 360 video above, what is the average thickness of each of the pahoehoe sheets?

Well Done! You're a 360 video ninja.

Oh Snap! Re-watch the video. Remember to use a feature with a known measurement for scale (e.g. a person or a hand).

The Goods

Outcrop scale features

Ben and Gro talk a bit more about pahoehoe lava flows. This was filmed at Stampar, 5 km up the coast from the previous video, near the bridge between continents.

The Knowledge Tester

What is the maximum thickness of the outcrop in the photo above?

Nice! Well Done, it looks like you know how to estimate thickness/scale.

Oh Snap! Remember to use a feature with a known measurement for scale (e.g. a person or a hand).

Estimate the number of pahoehoe lava sheets in the outcrop above.

Nice! You'll notice some of the layers are much thicker due to inflation.

Oh Snap! Try again! Some layers are very skinny, think of the average thickness of lava flows from the 360 video!

What geological process explains why is there a canyon at the photo above ?

Nice! Think about how this process may cause other features to be present in this setting.

Oh Snap! Might be worthwile re-watching the intro video!

What features dominate the Reykjanes Peninsula landscape seen in the all previous videos (select more than one) ?

Well done!Click on the following image to see an annotated version.

Oh snap! There are multiple correct answers, you might have to select more features to get all the correct answers. Re-watch the video and take note of what features you see on the surface. Here is a picture with some of the features, as an example:

What textures can you see in the rock above (select more than one) ?

Oh snap! You should be able to identify four features in that model.

Which part of the lava flow did this rock come from?

Well done! This rock was collected by Ben from the surface of a pahoehoe lava flow at Stampar!

The Brain Poke

Here is an interpretative sketch of how a tumulus forms, as well as other features within a pahoehoe lava flow.

Provide some feedback on the interpretative sketch!

Continue

Spacing Out

Use the 3D viewer below to explore different features, then select the descriptions for features. Left click on the map to travel around, right-click tilts the view.

Feature 1

Feature 2

Feature 3

Feature 4

Feature 5

Nice! Well done!

Oh snap! Try again!

The Brain Poke

What are the structures and textures that are characteristic of a pahoehoe lava flow? Choose to describe those characteristics from either:

the front view
the side view
or the map view

of a flow

The Goods

Pillow Lavas and Tuffs

This section will cover submarine eruptive products such as pillow lavas and tuffs.

The Knowledge Tester

What is not characteristic of subaqueous eruptions?

Nice! Well done!

Oh snap! Go back to the videos, and check off items on the list above as you see them.

What is the approximate maximum length of the pillows?

Nice! Well done!

Oh snap! Remember to use Gro for scale!

How wide is the magmatic intrusion that fed the pahoehoe eruptions on Reykjanes Peninsula

How far inland do you think the dyke propagates?

Nice! Well done!

Oh snap! Check out this figure from Hawaii, which shows a similar dyke length to the one we have here.

The Brain Poke

What rock do you think makes up most of Iceland? Why ?

Continue

Why me?

You will be using your answer for a discussion in class. This answer will contribute towards your reflection mark for the VFT, and high grades will be awarded for thoughful, personal anad/or original answers.

What have you learnt and why is this useful to you? Remember this could be a skill like working independently, or how to visualise objects or landscapes in 3D, or what motivates you to work hard.

You have completed the Reykjanes Virtual Field trip!

Remember, to get credit for your voyage, submit your answers, make sure you get confirmation that it submitted!