Federal Grant Award Summary

The Board of Trustees of Illinois State University received a $144,649 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Earth Sciences under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050), effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2029. This collaborative research initiative will produce a comprehensive eruptive history and magmatic characterization of Askja Volcano in Iceland through integrated field investigations and geochemical analyses. The deliverables include detailed stratigraphic documentation of prehistoric explosive eruptions, rock and mineral chemistry analyses to correlate magma compositions with crystallized products, radiometric dating of eruptive materials, and three-dimensional magma storage models that characterize the depth and location of silicic and mafic magma accumulation beneath the volcano.

The research products will establish eruptive frequency patterns and future eruption scenarios for Askja, addressing critical gaps in volcanic hazard assessment for this active, glacier-covered volcano that has experienced approximately 65 centimeters of uplift since 2021. The findings will advance understanding of comparable high-altitude, ice-covered volcanic systems in Iceland and the United States, and will generate public awareness and preparedness information regarding volcanic hazards and risks to neighboring populations. The NSF Geosciences program supports such fundamental research in Earth sciences to expand scientific knowledge of integrated Earth system processes through field investigations, laboratory analyses, and theoretical studies conducted at U.S. academic research institutions.