Volcano Eruption in Iceland

Context: A volcano in Southwest Iceland erupted after weeks of intense earthquake activity. 

Volcano Eruption in Iceland

• The volcano that erupted, is located in Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland. 
• Iceland is among the most volcanically active places in the world, with roughly one eruption in every five years, not including submarine eruptions.

Why does Iceland have so many volcanoes? 

• Geolocation:
  • Iceland is located  on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. 
    • These tectonic plates are detached one from another allowing magma to fill the space that is created which results in the creation of one or more volcanic systems
  • Iceland is located on a hotspot or mantle plume, where magma is especially close to the surface, leading to frequent volcanic eruptions.
• Types of Volcano: The most common type of volcano in Island is stratovolcano — cone-shaped peak with explosive eruptions that form a crater in the very top. 
• Geography: Iceland’s entire surface is made of volcanic rock, most of it is basalt that formed after cooling of the volcanic lava. 

Continue Reading: Exploring Volcanoes: The Basics Of Volcanicity

Source: Livemint