Rit (Vísindafélag Íslendinga) - 01.06.1967, Qupperneq 34

30
Iceland where structural and stratigraphical research has been
thoroughly carried out by modern methods over a large area
and section. Dr. Walker has found there an almost continu-
ous upbuilding of the plateau until recent times, tilting to-
wards the volcanic belt going hand in hand with it. Subse-
quent erosion mainly affects those parts of the plateau which
lie far outside the volcanic belt. The second tectonic phase
evidently does not exist in eastern Iceland. Indeed the fault-
ing going on in the volcanic belt may as well be regarded
as the continuation of processes valid throughout the history
of the plateau in a more or less stationary volcanic belt.
2. The distribution of basalts with intercalated hyaloclas-
tites, tillites and related clastic rocks (so called Grey Stage
Basalts) cannot be reconciled with prof. T. Einarsson’s hypo-
thesis. This series occurs firstly in almost symmetrical zones
nearest to the active volcanic belts of central Iceland dipping
towards them. It occupies an intermediate stratigraphic posi-
tion between the Tertiary plateau and the young volcanic
rocks. There exists no break in the succession of a magni-
tude needed by prof. T. Einarsson for his peneplanation
prior to a second tectonic phase. The marginal overlap of
the slightly dipping plateau by the young volcanic rocks
erupted during the present normal polarity epoch cannot be
regarded as an unconformity of such an order, since the
Matuyama and Gauss polarity epochs both are represented
in the tilted plateau below this overlap.
Secondly this series occurs in Snaefellsnes and also in Skagi
and the adjacent area to the S and SSW. There however it
is not tilted, but overlies tilted Tertiary rocks into which val-
leys have been eroded prior to the formation of these rocks.
I agree with prof. T. Einarsson that his concept may apply
to these areas, but it cannot be generalized to be also true
for the active volcanic belts of central Iceland.
Trausti Einarsson (Reply): This criticism ignores most of
the evidence. Ad. 1. It is strange to stress conclusions based
on a small part of the country against the results obtained