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University Microfilms International 300 N VOLCANO-ICE INTERACTIONS ON THE EARTH AND MARS Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Allen, Carlton Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 04/10/2021 05:22:59 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/298515 INFORMATION TO USERS This was produced from a copy of a document sent to us for microfilming. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the material submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or notations which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting through an image and duplicating adjacent pages to assure you of complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a round black mark it is an indication that the film inspector noticed either blurred copy because of movement during exposure, or duplicate copy. Unless we meant to delete copyrighted materials that should not have been filmed, you will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., is part of the material being photo­ graphed the photographer has followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin filming at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. If necessary, sectioning is continued again—beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. For any illustrations that cannot be reproduced satisfactorily by xerography, photographic prints can be purchased at additional cost and tipped into your xerographic copy. Requests can be made to our Dissertations Customer Services Department. 5. Some pages in any document may have indistinct print. In all cases we have filmed the best available copy. University Microfilms International 300 N. ZEEB ROAD, ANN ARBOR, Ml 48106 18 BEDFORD ROW, LONDON WC1R 4EJ, ENGLAND 7917333 | ALLEN. CARLTON CARL VOLCANO-ICE INTERACTIONS ON THE EARTH AND MARS . THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA. PH.D.. 1979 University Microfilms International 300 n. zeeb road, ann arbor, mi isto PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark . 1. Glossy photographs 2. Colored illustrations 3. Photographs with dark background t/ 4. Illustrations are poor copy 5. Print shows through as there is text on both sides of page 6. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages throughout 7. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine 8. Computer printout pages with indistinct print 9. Page(s) lacking when material received, and not available from school or author 10. Page(s) seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows 11. Poor carbon copy 12. Not original copy, several pages with blurred type 13. Appendix pages are poor copy 14. Original copy with light type 15. Curling and wrinkled pages 16. Other University Microfilms International 300 N. ZEEB RD.. ANN ARBOR. Ml 48106 *313) 761-4700 VOLCANO-ICE INTERACTIONS ON THE EARTH AND MARS by Carlton Carl Allen A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF PLANETARY SCIENCES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 19 7 9 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE I hereby recommend that this dissertation prepared under my direction by Carlton Carl Allen entitled Volcano-Ice Interactions on the Earth and Mars be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree ^ Doctor of Philosophy Cr, {Jr. -XT, I'171 Dissertation Director Date As members of the Final Examination Committee, we certify that we have read this dissertation and agree that it may be presented for final defense. c —s 2- < ( 17^ Dateite a /?/? Date Date (-L ard, c) I c\'l°l Date Date Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent on the candidate's adequate performance and defense thereof at the final oral examination. 11/78 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to bor­ rowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or re­ production of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the major department or the Dean of the Graduate College when in his judgment the proposed use of the material is in the in­ terests of scholarship. In all other instances, however, permission must be obtained from the author. SIGNED: PREFACE Few countries on Earth offer the diversity of volcanic landforms awaiting the investigator in Iceland. Located astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, this is one of the most active volcanic regions in the world. Major eruptions occur several times per decade, and thermal zones with hot springs and geysers continually attest to the presence of magma not far beneath the surface. By contrast, some 11% of this island on the Arctic Circle lies beneath ice sheets which are remnants of much broader Pleistocene glaciation. Glacial meltwater rivers roar through precipi­ tous canyons and suddenly spread onto wide flood plains, while nearby the winds form immense patterns in the sand and ash of cold volcanic deserts. This country offers another distinct advantage to the geologic investigator. The descendents of the Vikings who settled Iceland in the ninth century were among the most adventurous, literate and observant people of their time. Armed with a written historical record spanning 1100 years, Icelandic geologists have a nearly unparalleled opportunity to analyze the long-term behavior of the forces which affect their island. Untutored farmers understood many of the salient features of local volcanology and glaciology centuries before scientists in mainland Europe, and the tradition of important scientific observations by laymen continues to this day. Within the past fifty years detailed studies of Icelandic geology by scientists from many countries have led to a i i i i v realization of the importance of this island to research ranging from plate tectonics to geothermal energy production. Iceland has of late also been "discovered" by planetary scien­ tists. The uniqueness of this volcanic island, both as a training ground for astronauts and as a prime site for analog studies aimed at the Moon and terrestrial planets, is being recognized. The work described here, which began in Iceland and reaches to Mars or perhaps far beyond, bears witness to that fact. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of any piece of research reflects the contribu­ tions of many individuals. I owe large debts of gratitude to a number of good friends and scientific colleagues. First, I wish to thank Professor Robert Strom — friend, teacher and capable advisor. The other members of my dissertation com­ mittee, to whom I could turn for support and advice, are Dr. William Bull, Dr. Charles Glass, Dr. Bradford Smith and Dr. Laurel Wilkening. Dr. Michael Drake made available several experimental facilities and Ms. Gail Georgenson provided considerable help in the Space Imagery Center. Special thanks go to Ms. Nancy Moore as typist, efficient departmental secretary and all around good person. Field research in Iceland was approved by the Icelandic National Research Council, with Dr. Sigurdur Thorarinsson acting as research advisor. Dr. Oddur Sigurdsson and Dr. Kristjan Saemundsson gave generously of their expertise in matters of local geology. f particularly appreciate the assistance of Mr. Svienn Thorgrimsson. Research at The University of Arizona was partially funded by NASA Grant NGL 03-002-191 to Professor Strom. The Scanning Electron Microprobe Quantometer Laboratory was established under NSF Grant DES 7^-23721. NASA funding also helped to support the field studies in Iceland, for which I am grateful to Mr. Steven Dwornik. Additional assistance was provided by the Scholarship Committee of Trinity v vi Presbyterian Church and by my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Carlton Allen. My debt to them goes far beyond the financial. I am proud to acknowledge the inspiration provided by the late Dr. Gordon Macdonald. His teaching opened my eyes to volcanology and the discussion of subglacial eruptions in Volcanoes was the spark for thi s enti re study. Finally, let me thank Jaclyn Allen, my wife, co-worker and constant source of support. This work is dedicated to her. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS x ABSTRACT xi 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. TERRESTRIAL GEOLOGIC STUDIES 5 2.1 Subglacial Volcanism 5 2.2 Jokulhlaups 8 2.3 Table Mountains 13 2.3.1 Efstadalsfjal 1 16 2.3-2 Gaesafjol 1 19 2-3-3 Herdubreid 21 2.3.4 Hengill 24 2.3.5 Hei maey 25 2.3.6 Surtsey 27 2.3.7 British Columbia 28 2.3.8 Alaska 29 2.3.9 Summary 30 2.4 Moberg Ridges 32 2.4.1 Sveifluhals 33 2.4.2 Eldga 36 2.4.3 Herdubrei dtogl 38 2.4.4 Summary 39 2.5 Massive Moberg Deposits 40 2.6 Pseudocraters 43 2.7 Conclusions 46 3.
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