Geologist Explains the Background of Recent Eruptions in Iceland

plate tectonics, mid Atlantic Ridge, Rifting, Hotspot, Volcanoes,

[@raymondsmit344]

Myron this video was phenomenal. You are an incredible communicator and teacher, the very fact that I live in a time where you exist and in a time where you can upload and produce your own educational content is one of the best perks of this crazy wonderful existence.

[@myroncook]

Thank you!

[@reverseuniverse2559]

Totally agree 👍

[@rursus8354]

Agree! And the video is not overproduced that are that common today, instead all imagery is perfectly relevant.

[@vinnynorthwest]

Wow, I knew the thickness of the plates, but that example with the exercise ball and the printer paper really makes it sink in! Great video, thanks!

[@IceLynne]

Imagine what it was like when my ancestors settled Iceland around the year 900. They were extremely tough people. Thanks for the geological lesson! I love Iceland ❤

[@SofaKingShit]

As a Norwegian I'm somewhat weary of the romanctic notion that Vikings were somehow possessed of almost superhuman abilities. They were simply people living on unproductive land who supplemented their income by killing and stealing in much the same way as most of the humanity which has generally populated poor agricultural land throughout history.

[@IceLynne]

@@SofaKingShit true.

[@rogueyun9613]

I find myself watching to the end of all your videos. Love the analogy of the exercise ball and the paper sheets. Really puts things into perspective!

[@myroncook]

Thanks for watching!

[@fredpatterson2824]

Always glad to watch your videos. Two months ago, we followed the Oregon Trail from northern Kansas into mid Wyoming, then Tetons, Yellowstone then to Missoula to see the bath tub rings. Loved Glacier NP, Little Bighorn BF, Devils Tower then Black Hills.

[@An_Economist_Plays]

You, sir, are the Mister Rogers of Geology. 🙂Fred Rogers knew that understanding helps to reduce irrational fears without diminishing rational respect for great forces. You just did that here, thanks very much!

[@runninonempty820]

Your videos are always well put together and quite interesting. I've also been watching Shawn Willsey and his coverage of the Icelandic eruption.

[@LDJSFGKJSFDOUKJ]

Two of the best!

[@JJs-ClassC-Adventures]

Thanks for all the diagrams and scaling it all down for us.

[@ironcladranchandforge7292]

Excellent!! Thanks Myron for the continued education. You always have great stuff to show us.

[@garrickgraydon1084]

Thank you for bringing some joy to my life this afternoon. I find your videos so enjoyable. I prefer your long form videos, but this was a tremendous explanation and a real treat to see today. Thank you again for all of your videos. They are just wonderful! They bring me joy.

[@myroncook]

Thanks!

[@Robert-ys9zy]

I really appreciate your ability to teach. Your presentation is high quality. Thank you

[@myroncook]

Thanks!

[@donalddotson313]

Mr. Cook, your channel should be called The Joy of Geology. Your obvious enthusiasm and extremely clear explanations are sure to inspire many future geologists. Thanks so much!

[@myroncook]

Wow, thanks!

[@kimnesvig254]

Thanks for a very helpful perspective on the geologic basis for past and current eruptive events in Iceland.

[@myroncook]

Glad it was helpful!

[@darrylbordeleau4715]

In the this age of cheap AI voices and art flooding KZbin content, a real voice and a real human with something of value to communicate. Big thanks to you.

[@insAneTunA]

I sure found it interesting. Especially the comparison of the thickness of the earths crust with the skippy ball at the end.

[@keithwhittington1322]

This channel is a hot spot.

[@reverseuniverse2559]

This guy has to be the best scientist to explain everything in a way that makes it absolutely entertaining with the footage and the explanation ❤

[@headlessspaceman5681]

These fissure eruptions in Iceland seem similar to the lava flows in the El Morro area of New Mexico where I understand there were also fissure eruptions or "curtains of fire" around 1000 AD. Once I saw a piece of broken Anasazi pottery with little painted stripes that had been caught in a piece of pumice that hardened around it. Although that may have come from the area around Sunset Crater in Arizona which also erupted about 1000 years ago. I wonder if the composition of the lava is also similar in these fissure eruptions Iceland/New Mexico, or completely different from each other? Would it be a low silica content that creates this kind of eruption?

[@myroncook]

similar...low silica

[@atoz4399]

This is one of the best channels on the internet. You never cease to amaze me with knowledge. Never realized just how thin the crust really is. Great video.

[@myroncook]

Wow, thank you!

[@robertolesen5782]

I don’t know if you ever were, but anyone having you as a teacher was fortunate indeed.

[@markjennings7258]

Nice one Myron

[@howrogers]

1st time I have seen you...about Gulf of Mexico escarpment?...I think. Really enjoyed it and learned something new at 64...thank you. You make it easy to understand. I am now watching your video on Pangaea and Iceland and tectonic plates. Your visuals are very very good as well as your descriptions. I wish I had you as my teacher when I was young. Well done.

[@myroncook]

Thanks!

[@timothyjones74]

You are our favorite geologist on KZbin. Love your illustrations ❤

[@myroncook]

Wow, thank you!

[@unclvinny]

Such a great way to visualize it! I should look it up, but what’s the avg depth of the ocean in terms of those pieces of paper? And does the oceanic plate tend to dive below the continental plate because it is less rigid? I thought it was because it was heavier. Lots to learn. Thanks again!

[@myroncook]

another video

[@revolvermaster4939]

Another world class presentation, I’ve come to expect nothing less from you👍👍

[@dustman96]

I wish all my teachers back in the day made everything seem as simple as you do. It's all about conceptualization.

[@johnderatt3168]

Myron! Two days from my retirement and I get another Video from you! Thank you.

[@myroncook]

congrats! spend your time well

[@gregjones2217]

You never fail to bring new knowledge to what I thought I understood. Thank you some more and happy holidays.

[@artificercreator]

This was very informative, thanks for the explanation.

[@jeffreeves3362]

Thanks Myron I find you and your explanations extremely interesting

[@myroncook]

Thanks!

[@stevenchavers4596]

I love all of your videos and your calm, wise voice. I wish there were mode like you.

[@Johnny-tt8zc]

Always good stuff. I’m surprised about the thickness difference between the two plates.

[@joangordoneieio]

Been following brilliant drone photographer Gutn Tog's volcano coverage for the last 3 years. What a planet. TY for this!

[@john29john64]

The sheets of paper analogy certainly helped my understanding 🌎

[@limeychefboy]

I found this very interesting, thank you Myron for making this video:)

[@PacoOtis]

Excellently presented! Thanks for sharing!

[@dianespears6057]

Thank you Myron Cook. Did not know about the hot spot. Thought the dynamics were the plate boundaries. Now I know!

[@erinflayter867]

I learn more from your videos than I did in college.

[@naysneedle5707]

Wow the paper thing was eye opening. I would love to hear more about oceanic vs continental crust.

[@brentonboutin9584]

Wasn't expecting this one so soon, extra credit for you sir

[@rursus8354]

I'm a teacher. This is one of the best presentations I have seen. I'll try to learn presentation from it.

[@jerryleejohnsonjr1377]

Thanks, great way to illustrate the point,

[@oscarmedina1303]

Thank you Myron. A very interesting presentation. You make complicated geological processes easier to understand and learn about.

[@candui7278]

Hi Oscar, I second that emotion.

[@redpin14]

Love your content, thank you for creating this!

[@Sukisunn]

Another wonderfully put together educational video! I really like geology... Such deliciously layered information. Then you have Myron here... The cherry on top. The red little delicious ball on top. Telling the story of all the delicious lays below. Making this information so easy to consume! Myron thank you for presenting simple real world information we can all relate to. In one way or another. It makes learning so much easier and fun!

[@loveistheanswer8137]

That’s a lot of quality information packed into such a short video. I’ve been watching several other geology channels following Iceland, but if they explained some of these details, I must have missed it. Love your channel Myron.

[@myroncook]

Glad it was helpful!

[@overdoneone]

Thank you Myron, for explaining this with maps and in terms easy to understand.

[@bentationfunkiloglio]

Very timely video. My daughter and I will be taking a January vacay in Reykjavík. I read that the famed Blue Lagoon is closed due to recent eruptions.

[@celsus7979]

Fascinating! Norway next for the hotspot?

[@beachbum200009]

Wow... I didn't know Iceland's hot spot moved. Thanks Myron

[@user-ji8gd3yz1c]

I really appreciate your videos you educate me. Thank you!

[@frilansspion]

Very interesting, I didnt know there was such a huge difference in crust thickness. It always struck me that there seems to be very few hotspots given the size of the earth, and the apparent size of the spots themselves, Idve thought there be more points of convection or whatever it is.

[@MrYashino]

Thank you for the video sir ❤ wishing you a very happy Christmas and great year ahead..🙏

[@JanetClancey]

Thank you I love the comparison makes more sense now

[@Indy1388]

Another great video.

[@62Cristoforo]

I had no idea Iceland was over a hot spot, like the Hawaii’s islands, and that the hot spot itself moves, not just what sits above it

[@markepps2404]

excellent explanation as always. thank you

[@martincotterill823]

Very interesting perspective!

[@craighoover1495]

Yes, most interesting. I have been watching this and your explanation here helps us understand the grand scheme of things.

[@sampickett3843]

Myron, you are great at story telling. Great videos. Glad I found your channel. When I saw your name, I thought, I know that guy! I was one of the crazy drilling guys you had to put up with in West Texas in the mid 80s and 90s.

[@myroncook]

Wow! What fun to hear from you Sam. I definitely remember you, you were great to work with all those years ago. I sure hope all is well with you and loved ones. For the time being, all is well in my world but you know how life can send you some curve balls...I know they're coming.

[@sampickett3843]

You are right about the curve balls. All is well with my family.@@myroncook

[@marcosousa4029]

Thank you, Sir. Excelente content. Love your voice.

[@myroncook]

Thank you kindly!

[@peggieincolfaxca3818]

what a great teacher! Thanks !

[@Mrbfgray]

I find it useful to visualize the convection currents driving the plates. We should all have experience, hence intuition about convection currents in a near boiling pot of water or air with smoke or dust in it.

[@hollybyrd6186]

Thank you for making such amazing videos

[@myroncook]

Glad you like them!

[@imstrng]

Myron Cook, the Bob Ross under geologists. Thanks for sharing.

[@doctorwu1303]

Excellent and very educational explanation..thanks 😊

[@bustinbass78]

Bless you sir and thank you

[@scottowens1535]

Yup shure did. Like to hear you explain. 👍

[@3seven5seven1nine9]

I get the feeling that you hear about a volcano erupting and you say yippee That's awesome

[@mikeflynn2926]

Superb!

[@shine111]

You're really amazing at translating potentially scary science into easy to understand terms, it's incredible. I like scaling the earth down to an exercise ball especially. the usual comparison I hear is "if the earth were the size of an apple then the crust would be thinner than the apple's peel" and that's too small! you can't easily picture an apple peel sliding around on the apple. sheets of paper on an exercise ball? well you can try it out for yourself no problem! Well done. Also thank you for mentioning that iceland is on a hot spot! I learned that surprisingly recently and I'm still confused why it isn't as well known as hawaii. I spent years wondering why iceland was an island when the rest of the atlantic ridge isn't!

[@myroncook]

Thanks!

[@glenwarrengeology]

That is understandable as the hotspot is moving in the same direction as the European plate. If stationary is would be moving away. Also it has moved from the north to south in the past, the North American plate is moving west.

[@TheDanEdwards]

Remember that the spreading zones wander too. And NA has moved in a giant arc since it broke away, heading northwest, then west, and now southwest. But note that NA is so large that motion relative to Earth's axis will depend upon location on the plate. And NA is also slowly rotating counter clockwise.

[@chanahera]

Kia ora from NZ 🇳🇿 Myron, thank you so much I learnt much today - appreciate visual explain(s) relative to ball and sheet(s) of paper - indeed this earth human(s) live when viewed/seen from this perspective is fragile. I'm 61 year(s) old still learning, expanding, stretching my understanding best I'm able to at my age 🌊 🦗 🌱

[@myroncook]

Wonderful!

[@patytrico]

Thank you!

[@sharonbyars3493]

Thanks so much😊

[@dennk735]

Hi Myron. I hope you, Shawn Willsey and Nick Zentner unite. You 3 are the titans of the Pacific Northwest/Range and Basin geology. All three of you love geology and sharing geology with your fellow man. On Feb 4, Nick and Shawn hook up. Can't wait to see the three of you together. Very special!

[@Damageinc.]

Myron, you are the earth whisperer!

[@juliafox7904]

Fascinating

[@qiangwangwu6323]

Awesome!!

[@cdenn016]

I'm a doctor of physics and usually think in terms of nano, femto, or atto seconds. I still can't get used to 😅millions of years 🤷🤷🤷. The 11 sheets of paper visualization was perfect....I understand a little bit better 👍👍

I find All of your videos Interesting. Deluxe! 😁

[@janetholley1004]

Thank you for the lesson today, would you visit Iceland? Praying everyone stays safe.

[@stevencroshaw4749]

I have enjoyed the program and very much appreciate the on going work. Do you know about the lava flow from Quebec to Alabama? I'm in north carolina and saw the video on the Appalachian. We did a summer trip on their caverns and so enjoyed that. Thanks!

[@myroncook]

I don't

[@samueltucker8473]

What a good teacher the earth is naturally wonderful from the elemental mineral as crystals grow deep in the caves undisturbed in a vacuum as the waters moved here and there under the crust. It's too vast and too marvelous for anyone to know it all. What we need to do here is to scale it up. . . Fascinating truly it is.

[@bearcubdaycare]

Wow, I'd never heard that Iceland was also atop a hot spot. That's a great further insight into what's happening. Thanks. I had always imagined, or understood, that the movement of plates over a hot spot, is what changed its location on the surface. But here's one that's crossing the spreading zone of a mid oceanic ridge. How does that work?

[@davec9244]

YES thank you!

[@alanjohnson2613]

I would like to hear your thoughts on the failed mid continent rift, my geology professor in college was new to the area at the time I had her.

[@tonybazz53]

I guessed a half inch for the continental thickness and yes, it surprises me just how thin it is compared to the diameter of the planet.

[@myroncook]

good guess

[@mikepayne5032]

Happy new year🎉

[@davegoodridge8352]

Geology is so interesting. And Cool

[@m1ndphaser]

I absolutely did find this video interesting. I usually do but this is right on point. all the upheaval we live in daily exists on this thin layer of our earth, and is more or less totally to be expected! at least as far as the earth is concerned, and not the ideology of some of it's inhabitants :)

[@mikelong9638]

Thanks Myron. This eruption is the just the Earth doing what it has always done.

[@mikelong9638]

Myron, Did you send this??

[@JonMorganRocks]

Myron, you are the Bob Ross of geology 😁

[@kalrandom7387]

Right around the time that Pangea broke up wasn't there a large meteor strike that is 250 Mi wide crater, which also caused the Great dying? How would that have affected the continental crust?

[@getonthepeacetrain]

You are an international treasure.

[@abberepair8288]

As the Earth’s ice melts, it redistributes weight on a global scale. This causes those paper thin crusts to stretch in some places and contract in others or to sink a little more in places and be floated up in others, changing the stress loads, causing more fractures

[@R3tr0V3rt1g0]

Ever consider doing a video on the so called Bosnian pyramid and the surrounding area? Looks to me like some sort of detachment but the terrain is way too complicated for my field school level of knowledge.

[@myroncook]

I’ll have to look at it

[@mountain-roots]

@@myroncook where would be the best place to have a discussion or get feed back with yah?

[@sgramstrup]

Hi Myron. If it's not too far outside your field, can you explain why the deep sea is colder than both the air and the hot crust below it ? I assume it's about precipitation, but the sea lies directly ontop of a magma 'oven' and active fault lines, so it should in my mind be much hotter ? Perhaps the bottom, the sea crust is 'insulating' the water, or the heat are going somewhere else ? Anyway, thx for fine videos. My father was a geo-nerd too :-)

[@glenwarrengeology]

That is understandable as the hotspot is moving in the same direction as the European plate.

[@cybersandoval]

those dang hot-spots

[@lucyj1261]

It is so easy yo understand the complexity geology concepts. Thank you! WHAT ABOUT MASULA FLOODS AND SPOKANE GLACIATION??

[@lucyj1261]

It would be nice to hear your prospective on the subject, specially the Masula story.