
Eruption at Sundhnúksgígar February 2024
Samples were taken of tephra and lava erupting from the southernmost vents near Sundhnúkur and from close to Grindavíkurvegur. Preliminary petrographic and geochemical data were obtained on February 9th and are reported here. Images and glass compositional data were obtained using an electron microprobe.
Petrological characteristics
The lava and tephra contain abundant macrocrysts and microphenocrysts of olivine and plagioclase (Fig. 1). Smaller clinopyroxene and Cr-spinel crystals are present but are more rare. The lava has abundant microlites of predominantly plagioclase, indicating degassing and cooling during lava flow (Fig. 1B).