Publication:

Impact of the July 1999 jökulhlaup on the proximal River Jökulsá á Sólheimasandi, Mýrdalsjökull Glacier, southern Iceland (2002)

Author(s): Russell AJ; Tweed FS; Knudsen Ó; Roberts MJ; Harris TD; Marren PM

    Abstract: Few studies have focused on the geomorphic and sedimentary impact of magmatically-generated jökulhlaups released directly into the proglacial zone. This paper characterizes the proglacial geomorphic and sedimentary impact of the 17-18 July 1999 jökulhlaup, Sólheimajökull, Iceland. Jökulhlaup outflow from the glacier margin resulted in temporary water storage within former ice-dammed lake basins, resulting in the deposition of coarse-grained deltas, and more distal sandy bedforms capped by silts. Outflow from the western outlet transported boulders up to 8 m in diameter on the surface of a new outwash fan ranging in thickness from 6 m proximally to 1 m distally. Near-simultaneous deposition of ice blocks, boulders and finer-grained matrix occurred, suggesting that flows were sediment rich during the rising stage of the flood. This unexpected short-lived flood had a distinctive impact on the proglacial zone, providing a record of a precursor to a Katla eruption.

    Notes: IAHS Publication no. 271

      • Date: July 2002
      • Conference Name: The Extremes of the Extremes: Extraordinary Floods
      • Pages: 249-254
      • Publisher: International Association of Hydrological Sciences
      • Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. abstract)
      • Bibliographic status: Published
      Staff

      Professor Andrew Russell
      Professor of Physical Geography and Head of Geography