Mid-Atlantic Ridge Iceland
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Mid-Atlantic Ridge Iceland
Case study: Iceland on a plate boundary
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a long underwater mountain chain. It marks a constructive (divergent) plate boundary where the North American Plate and Eurasian Plate move apart. As the plates separate, hot mantle rock rises and melts. Magma cools to form new oceanic crust, while some erupts as lava. Iceland lies across this ridge, so the boundary is visible above sea level. A mantle plume beneath the island also supplies extra heat and magma, helping explain Iceland’s unusually high volcanic activity. Volcanic activity creates hazards, including lava flows, ash and gases. Ash clouds can disrupt flights, and eruptions may damage roads or farms. However, geothermal heat warms many buildings and supplies hot water; geothermal power stations also generate electricity. Iceland’s authorities monitor volcanoes and use hazard maps and evacuation plans to reduce risk.
- Constructive (divergent): the plates move apart
- Destructive (convergent): the plates move towards each other
- Conservative: the plates slide past each other
Evidence and impacts
The table covers two geothermal uses and one volcanic hazard. Geothermal electricity output is approximate; figures can vary by year and source.
Use
How it works or affects people
Geothermal heating
Hot water from underground is piped to heat many homes and buildings.
Geothermal electricity
Steam and hot water help generate electricity at power stations; this provides a smaller share of Iceland’s electricity than hydropower.
Volcanic ash
Ash clouds can reduce visibility and disrupt aircraft, including flights far from an eruption.
3 printable pages
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