• UGI USER
  • Dec 23, 2023
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VOLCANIC ACTIVITY IN ICELAND

Why in the News?

  • The Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland erupted recently, causing lava flows, with potential for new vents opening.
  • Anticipated due to seismic activity, authorities evacuated nearly 4,000 people from Grindavik, a town threatened by lava flow.

Understanding Volcanoes:

  • Volcanoes are openings where magma, tephra, and steam erupt onto Earth’s surface.
  • Formation involves the rise of magma, which can occur through tectonic plate movements or hotspots inside the Earth.
Source: Science Notes

Types of Volcanoes:

  • Stratovolcanoes have steep, cone-shaped sides, while shield volcanoes have a low profile resembling a shield lying on the ground.
  • Various volcanic features and processes, such as cinder cones or lava domes, contribute to the diverse types of volcanoes.

Factors responsible for Iceland’s Volcano:

  • Iceland’s location between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, moving apart yearly, leads to volcanic activity.
  • The island also sits over a hotspot, further enhancing volcanic occurrences in the region.