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News Release 11-033

Iceland Volcano's Molten Rock Could Become Source of High-Grade Energy

Krafla volcano gives geologists unique, unexpected opportunity to study magma

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Photo taken at night of incandescent lava flowing downslope from a vent at Iceland's Krafla volcano.

An incandescent lava flow winds its way downslope from a vent at Iceland's Krafla volcano.

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey


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Photo of the Krafla volcano, Iceland, and drill rig across the explosion crater Viti.

View of the Krafla volcano, Iceland, and drill rig across the explosion crater Viti.

Credit: G.O. Fridleifsson


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Photo of the exploratory geothermal well during flow testing at the Krafla volcano.

The exploratory geothermal well during flow testing at the Krafla volcano.

Credit: Bjarni Palssen


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Photo of the Iceland Drilling Company rig at the Krafla geothermal field.

The Iceland Drilling Company rig at the Krafla geothermal field; it drilled into molten magma.

Credit: W. Elders, UC-Riverside


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Photo of the Leirhnjukur hot spring.

The Iceland Drilling Company rig that drilled into magma; the Leirhnjukur hot spring is shown.

Credit: W. Elders, UC-Riverside


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Photo of the drill rig that encountered magma in back of a basalt flow.

Across a basalt flow from an earlier Krafla eruption is the drill rig that encountered magma.

Credit: W. Elders, UC-Riverside


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