Geography

Question

Volcanism in Iceland is occurring as a result of

O eruptions from an intraplate hot spot

O subduction of an oceanic plate underneath the continental Eurasian Plate

O eruptions from a hot spot that sits astride a mid-ocean ridge

• eruptions along a mid-ocean ridge

Answer

Eruptions from a hot spot that sits astride a mid-ocean ridge.

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Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is a divergent boundary where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate are moving apart. This boundary is also associated with a hot spot, which is a plume of magma rising from deep within the Earth's mantle. The combination of the hot spot and the divergent boundary results in frequent volcanic activity in Iceland. The magma from the hot spot rises to the surface and erupts, creating new crust and adding to the size of the island. Therefore, the correct answer is "eruptions from a hot spot that sits astride a mid-ocean ridge."