Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice

Volatile Iceland

Iceland is situated on a massive 11,000 mile long rift between two of the earth’s major tectonic plates.

It is one of the youngest land masses on the planet, formed by underwater volcanic eruptions along this joint of the North American and Eurasian plates around 20 million years ago.

Molten rock (magma) continues to rise from deep within.

The result is clearly visible at Thingvellir National Park where the rift continues to broaden from 1/16 to 3/4 of an inch per year.

   
Thingvellir rift

 

Volcanoes

Volcano cones are seen throughout Iceland. Some are active, some are extinct and some are merely dormant. Several of the most active volcanoes are found beneath glaciers.

   
Lava flow                                                                                    Lave flow to the sea

Steam vents 

Hverfwell crater

Hexagonal Columns

Columnar jointed basalt is formed when lave cools and contraction causes the new rock to split into six-sided horizontal or vertical columns. A hexagon is the polygon closest to a circle that can completely cover an area by tessellation.

What is tessellation?

Where else can we see hexagonal patterns in nature?

   

     
Columnar jointed basalt

Svartifoss

Geysirs

Great Geysir, which is now inactive, gave its name to all spouting hot springs around the world.

   
Great Geysir                                                                         Strokkur Geysir

 

Return to HOME page