Iceland #6 - Lava

Lava fields, Iceland.

The second to bottom image here shows a evidence of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that lies across Iceland. The fault show here is actually the result of the slow movement apart of the Eurasian and North American continental tectonic plates, which are parting by 2cm a year.

Over one third of Iceland is volcanically active and scattered with lava fields. Iceland is far enough north that it should be entirely covered by ice and snow, like Greenland to the west. The heat generated by the ridge keeps the country in a constant state of thaw.