Question

ICELAND: Iceland is a volcanic plateau built of basaltic lava erupted from a hot spot below the mid-Atlantic Ocean spreading center (see figure 4.4). The country is a little bit bigger than the state of Virginia; about 13% of its surface is covered by glaciers, and one-third consists of active volcanoes.

A) 100% covered by glaciers
B) 87% covered by glaciers
C) 13% covered by glaciers
D) No glaciers present

Answer 1

Iceland's landscape is marked by glaciers covering 13% of its surface, and its active volcanic terrain is due to a hot spot beneath the mid-Atlantic Ocean spread. It is slightly larger than Virginia and known for its unique combination of glacial and volcanic features.

Step-by-step explanation:

The country of Iceland is characterized by a unique geological landscape, with about 13% of its surface covered by glaciers. It's situated on a volcanic plateau that has been shaped by the activity of a hot spot below the mid-Atlantic Ocean spreading center. Notably, Iceland is home to a significant amount of volcanic activity, with one-third of its land consisting of active volcanoes. This striking contrast between the icy glaciers and fiery volcanic terrain underscores the dynamic nature of the Earth’s crust, much like what is observed with volcanic hotspots elsewhere, such as Hawaii, Yellowstone, and the Aleutian Islands.