Volcanic Activity in Iceland

Recently,  a volcano in southwest Iceland erupted. 

Volcanic activity in Iceland

It led to evacuations of the small fishing town of Grindavik and the popular geothermal Blue Lagoon spa.

• Iceland volcano, Sundhnuksgigar, has erupted for the 5th time since December 2023.
  • This eruption follows another 8-week eruption nearby.
• Iceland’s volcanic activity has increased recently, with eruptions happening nearly every year since 2021. (Previously, eruptions occurred every 4-5 years).

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What are volcanoes?

• Volcanoes: They are openings or vents where materials like lava, small rocks (tephra), and steam burst out onto the Earth’s surface.
• Formation and Characteristics
  • Formation: It results from the eruption of material much hotter than the surrounding area onto the Earth’s surface.
  • Material Composition: It can include liquid rock (magma when underground, lava when on the surface), ash, and gases.
• Diversity in Location
  • Land and Ocean: Volcanoes can be found both on land and under the ocean, exhibiting their activity in diverse environments.

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Reasons for Iceland to be volcanically active

• Geological Location
  • Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart gradually.
  • Effect: This movement creates volcanic rift zones, where the Earth’s crust fractures, allowing magma to rise and sometimes erupt as lava and ash.
• Hotspot Presence
  • Hot Zone: Iceland is also positioned over a hotspot, contributing to increased volcanic activity.
  • Effect: This hotspot leads to enhanced volcanic activity in the region, adding to the geological dynamics of the island.