Question

Draw a diagram, with Iceland at its center, showing the movement of the tectonic plates that are helping to produce these violent volcanic eruptions. Label the plates and features in your diagram, and identify the type of boundary that exists here. Write a description of the processes taking place in Iceland and the features that are formed as a result.​

Answer 1

Iceland's volcanic eruptions are due to its position on the divergent plate boundary of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are separating, allowing magma from the mantle to form volcanic features.

Step-by-step explanation:

The volcanic eruptions in Iceland are largely due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are moving apart in a process known as divergent plate boundary. This movement creates conditions for magma to rise from the mantle, forming new crust and resulting in volcanic activity. The country sits directly atop this boundary, leading to frequent earthquakes and the formation of distinctive geological features like rift valleys, ridges, and volcanoes.

Diagram Description:

• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs through Iceland, with the North American plate moving westward and the Eurasian plate moving eastward.
• Volcanoes are located along this ridge, formed by the upwelling of the magma from the mantle.
• Features such as geysers and hot springs are also prevalent due to geothermal activity.

The melt process occurring in Iceland is primarily decompression melting, caused by the divergent movement of the tectonic plates, which reduces the pressure on the underlying mantle, facilitating the melting of mantle rocks.