Volcanoes in Iceland facts for kids

Many volcanoes in Iceland are very active. This is because Iceland sits right on top of the mid-Atlantic Ridge. This ridge is a special place where two huge tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. When these plates move, it creates cracks in the Earth's surface, allowing hot melted rock, called magma, to rise up and cause eruptions.

Iceland has about 30 active volcanic systems. Out of these, 13 have erupted since people first settled in Iceland around 874 AD. One famous eruption was from Eyjafjallajökull in 2010. This eruption sent a huge cloud of volcanic ash high into the sky. This ash cloud caused big problems for air travel across northern Europe for several weeks.

Iceland's Fiery Heart

Iceland is known as the "Land of Fire and Ice" because it has many glaciers and also many active volcanoes. The country is one of the most volcanically active places on Earth. This constant volcanic activity shapes Iceland's landscape, creating dramatic mountains, lava fields, and hot springs.

Why So Many Volcanoes?

The main reason Iceland has so many volcanoes is its location on the mid-Atlantic Ridge. Imagine the Earth's surface as a giant puzzle made of large pieces called tectonic plates. These plates are always moving, very slowly. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is where two of these plates, the North American plate and the Eurasian plate, are moving away from each other.

As the plates pull apart, magma from deep inside the Earth rises up to fill the gap. This magma can then erupt as lava, ash, and gases, forming volcanoes. Iceland is like a big hot spot right on top of this spreading ridge.

Types of Volcanic Activity

Iceland experiences different kinds of volcanic eruptions. Some are explosive, sending ash and rocks high into the sky, like the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption. Others are effusive, meaning lava flows out more gently, creating vast lava fields.

• Explosive Eruptions: These happen when magma is thick and traps a lot of gas. The pressure builds up until it explodes, sending ash, steam, and rock fragments into the atmosphere.
• Effusive Eruptions: These occur when magma is thinner and flows more easily. It creates rivers of molten rock that spread across the land. There are two main types of lava flows:
  • Pahoehoe Lava: This lava is smooth and ropey when it cools.
  • Aa Lava: This lava is rough, jagged, and blocky when it cools.

Famous Icelandic Volcanoes

Iceland is home to many well-known volcanoes, each with its own history of eruptions.

• Eyjafjallajökull: This volcano became famous worldwide in 2010. Its eruption caused major disruptions to air travel. The name "Eyjafjallajökull" means "glacier of Eyjafjöll," as it is covered by a glacier.
• Grímsvötn: This is one of Iceland's most active volcanoes, located under the Vatnajökull glacier. It erupts quite often, sometimes causing floods from melted ice.
• Hekla: Known as the "Gateway to Hell" in medieval times, Hekla is a very active volcano that has erupted many times throughout history.
• Katla: Another powerful volcano hidden under a glacier, Katla is known for its large and sometimes explosive eruptions.

Living with Volcanoes

Living in Iceland means living with the constant presence of volcanoes. While eruptions can be disruptive and dangerous, they also create unique landscapes and provide geothermal energy. This energy is used to heat homes and generate electricity, making Iceland a leader in renewable energy. Scientists constantly monitor Iceland's volcanoes to predict eruptions and keep people safe.

Images for kids

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  Eruption column of Eyjafjallajökull in 2010

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  Pahoehoe lava fields in Iceland

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  Aa lava field in Iceland

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  The craters of Grábrók