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Perception of Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland

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Landscapes and Societies

Abstract

Iceland is one of the most active volcanic regions on Earth. On average a volcanic event occurs every 4 or 5 years. Every generation of Icelanders has been exposed to volcanic eruptions and their consequences over the 1140 years of habitation. Therefore, volcanism has been a significant force in shaping Icelandic society, to such an extent that volcanic eruptions are imprinted into the cultural landscape. The social as well as volcanic history is well documented in numerous contemporary accounts, which provide a platform for evaluating social aspects of volcanism. In this short communication the perception of Icelanders to volcanic eruptions through time and its communal significance is assessed and discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Guðrún Larsen and anonymous reviewer for constructive comments and useful suggestions that helped with improving the final version of this paper. This study was supported by Icelandic Research Fund Grant for Exellence No. 070272011.

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  1. Earth and Planetary Sciences, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Grant Institute The Kings Buildings, West Mains Road, EH9 3JW, Edinburgh, UK

    Thorvaldur Thordarson

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  1. Thorvaldur Thordarson
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Correspondence to Thorvaldur Thordarson .

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  1. School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Axelrod Building, Guelph, N1G 2W1, Ontario, Canada

    I. Peter Martini

  2. Axelrod Building, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, N1G 2WI, Ontario, Canada

    Ward Chesworth

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Thordarson, T. (2010). Perception of Volcanic Eruptions in Iceland. In: Martini, I., Chesworth, W. (eds) Landscapes and Societies. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9413-1_18

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