Geysers, Boiling Groundwater and Tectonics: The 3D Subsurface Resistive Structure of the Haukadalur Hydrothermal Field, Iceland

Lupi, Matteo; Collignon, Marine; Fischanger, Federico; Carrier, Aurore; Trippanera, Daniele; Pioli, Laura

doi:10.1029/2022jb024040

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The temperature drop during the conduit cooling phase is associated with mass transfer: (a) evacuation of water and vapor associated with the eruption and (b) filling of the conduit by phreatic water through fractures and water cooled in the jet falling back in the vent (Eibl et al., 2021). This results in a more dramatic temperature decay at depth with respect to the shallow conduit, because of the water temperature gradient in the conduit and the more uniform temperature of phreatic water (Lupi et al., 2022). In parallel, duration of the conduit cooling phase decreases with depth.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…No cross‐correlation between Great Geysir and Strokkur temperature signals could be established. A recent geo‐electric survey suggested that both geysers would be connected at depth to a same reservoir by a network of fault and fractures (Lupi et al., 2022). However, deep signals are likely modulated by the complex geometry of this connection, hampering any synchronicity in the temperature records.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Haukadalur field hosts the Great Geysir and the Strokkur geysers, which are amongst the most visited natural touristic attractions of Iceland. This hydrothermal field also hosts hundreds of thermal springs, distributed over a ∼3km 2 area and along NE-SW to N-S directions (Pasvanoglu, 1998;Torfason, 1999;Walter et al, 2020;Lupi et al, 2022). Written documentation of Great Geysir's and Strokkur's activity dates back to 1294 and 1789, respectively.…”

Section: The Haukadalur Hydrothermal Field and Its Geysersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While direct exploration provided new insights on the morphology of the main conduit (Belousov et al, 2013;Walter et al, 2020), the general subsurface geometry of these systems are rarely known. Recently, Lupi et al (2022) investigated the hydrogeological structure of the Haukadalur hydrothermal field, Iceland, and based on geoelectrical surveys have shown the strong control that local tectonics exerts on fluid distribution at depth. Seismic data have been used as a proxy to locate the formation and collapse of the vapour slug, providing basic information on heat transfer in the conduit or in the bubble trap (Kedar et al, 1998;Eibl et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Conduit Processes at the Haukadalur Geyser‐Hosting Hydrothermal Field (Iceland) Revealed by In Situ Temperature and High‐Speed Camera Measurements

Collignon,

Pioli,

Trippanera

et al. 2023

JGR Solid Earth

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Geysers fascinate scientists and visitors for several centuries. However, many driving mechanisms such as heat transfer in the conduit and in the subsurface remain poorly understood. We document for the first time transient temperature variations inside the active Strokkur's and nearby quasi‐dormant Great Geysir's conduits, Iceland. While recording temperature inside the conduit, we visually monitored Strokkur's activity at the vent with a high‐speed camera, providing a high temporal resolution of the eruptions. Our results reveal heat transfer from a bubble trap to and through the conduit. We propose a model for the eruptive cycle of Strokkur that includes vapor slug rise, eruption, and conduit refill. Each water jet of an eruption is marked by an initial pulse of liquid water and vapor, emitted at a velocity between 5 and 28 m/s and generally followed by a second pulse less than a second later. The timing of eruptions coincides with temperature maxima in the conduit. After the eruption, the conduit is refilled by water falling back in the pool and drained from neighboring groundwater‐saturated geological units. This results in a temperature drop, the amplitude of which increases with depth while its period is reduced. This reflects faster heat transfer in the deeper than shallower part of the conduit. The amplitude of temperature drop following an eruption also increases with the eruption order, implying larger heat release by higher‐order eruptions. Temperature in the conduit subsequently increases until the next eruption, starting then a new cycle.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Haukadalur Hydrothermal Field and Its Geysersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Conduit Processes at the Haukadalur Geyser‐Hosting Hydrothermal Field (Iceland) Revealed by In Situ Temperature and High‐Speed Camera Measurements

Collignon,

Pioli,

Trippanera

et al. 2023

JGR Solid Earth

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Multi-parametric observations of intermittent hydrothermal water discharge in West Crater of Iwo-Yama volcano, Kirishima Volcanic Complex, Japan

Tanabe

Matsushima

Aizawa

et al. 2023

Earth Planets Space

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From April to July 2021, West Crater at Iwo-Yama, Kirishima Volcanic Complex, Japan, was repeatedly filled with hydrothermal water and subsequently evacuated. The overall cycle lasted 14–70 h, and the course of a single cycle followed this sequence of phases: (i) steam effusion disappeared 20–40 min before hydrothermal water discharge; (ii) hydrothermal water discharge occurred, generating a hydrothermal water pool; (iii) steam effusion resumed and gradually increased; and (iv) drain-back (evacuation) of the hydrothermal water occurred 1–1.5 h before the onset of the next hydrothermal water discharge. We used multi-parametric observations (optical camera, thermometer, electric self-potential (SP) electrodes, seismometer, acoustic sensor, and tiltmeter) to investigate the cause of the cyclic hydrothermal water discharge. A change in SP data occurred approximately 2 h before the onset of hydrothermal water discharge. However, the change in SP was small when hydrothermal water discharge did not occur. The temporal change in SP is inferred to have been caused by groundwater flow through the region below West Crater, implying that groundwater flow was occurring 2 h before hydrothermal water discharge. The polarity of SP change suggests that groundwater flowed toward the region underlying the vents. Seismic signals in the frequency range of < 20 Hz decreased 15–45 min after the onset of change in SP. This seismic signal pattern is inferred to have been caused by bubble activity in boiling fluid. We interpret that the inflow of cold groundwater inhibited boiling activity in the conduit, which in turn caused the cessation of both steam effusion and seismic activity. SP data suggest that the inflow of cold groundwater gradually decreased before hydrothermal water discharge. Pressurization sufficient to force the water in the upper part of the conduit to ascend could have built up in the lower part of the conduit owing to a decrease in the input of groundwater into the upper part of the conduit and the continuing supply of steam bubbles and hot water. This increase in pressure finally led to hydrothermal water discharge at the surface. We suggest that the inflow of cold groundwater into the geyser conduit was the key control on the occurrence and cyclicity of hydrothermal water discharge in West Crater at Iwo-Yama. Graphical Abstract

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Geysers, Boiling Groundwater and Tectonics: The 3D Subsurface Resistive Structure of the Haukadalur Hydrothermal Field, Iceland

Abstract: 3D resistive structure of the geyser-hosting Haukadalur hydrothermal field;• Vapour-saturated boiling reservoirs feeding geysers and hydrothermal ponds;• Fluid flow controlled by local tectonics.

Cited by 2 publications

References 46 publications

Conduit Processes at the Haukadalur Geyser‐Hosting Hydrothermal Field (Iceland) Revealed by In Situ Temperature and High‐Speed Camera Measurements

Conduit Processes at the Haukadalur Geyser‐Hosting Hydrothermal Field (Iceland) Revealed by In Situ Temperature and High‐Speed Camera Measurements

Multi-parametric observations of intermittent hydrothermal water discharge in West Crater of Iwo-Yama volcano, Kirishima Volcanic Complex, Japan

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