Topography
Iceland is located between Canada and Northern Europe.
Countries Elevation and Layout - effect on resources:
Iceland is an island. It has a large volcanic plateau in the middle of the island. It is circled by mountains. Lava fields cover 11% of the island and glaciers cover 12%. It also has many lakes, snowfields, hot springs, and geysers. A geyser is a natural hot spring that ejects a column steam into the air.
Natural Resources - This location and land qualities supply the following:
1- water is bottled (from glaciers) and exported;
2− freshwater fish
3− hydro and geothermal
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Jökulsárlón Lagoon: -146 m
Highest point: Hvannadalshnúkur 2,110 m
Natural Resources - This location and land qualities supply the following:
1- water is bottled (from glaciers) and exported;
2− freshwater fish
3− hydro and geothermal
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Jökulsárlón Lagoon: -146 m
Highest point: Hvannadalshnúkur 2,110 m
Unusual Land Feature:
Iceland has extensive volcanic and geothermal activity. The rift associated with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which marks the division between the European and North American tectonic plates, runs across Iceland from the southwest to the northeast.
Land Use:
Land Use: 20% of the land is used for grazing, and only 1% is cultivated.
Iceland’s Major environmental concerns are:
1-water pollution from fertilizer runoff and
2-inadequate wastewater treatment.
1-water pollution from fertilizer runoff and
2-inadequate wastewater treatment.
How fixing environmental concerns:
In the mid-1970s, Iceland developed a system of fisheries management
1- Total Allowable Catch (TAC),
2- individual transferable quotas and
3- technical enforcement and economic measures.
In the mid-1970s, Iceland developed a system of fisheries management
1- Total Allowable Catch (TAC),
2- individual transferable quotas and
3- technical enforcement and economic measures.
Climate:
Iceland's climate is characterized by damp, cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters.
Climate - Temperature
Average minimum and maximum temperatures over the year fall
between 28 and 58 degrees F.
between 28 and 58 degrees F.
Climate - precipitation
Average monthly precipitation over the year (rainfall, snow). This is the mean monthly precipitation, including rain, snow, hail etc. It is about 1-4 inches / month / year.
Interesting Fact:
In winter, the central part of the island resembles the moon’s surface.
This is why NASA astronauts conducted their lunar landing training here.
This is why NASA astronauts conducted their lunar landing training here.
Interesting Features:
1-The highest mountain in Iceland is Hvannadalshnúkur @ 6,952 ft. tall and is found in the Öræfajökull glacier.
2-Iceland has the largest glacier in Europe called the Vatnajökull. It is 3,200 sq mi in size and is found in southeast Iceland.
3-Iceland’s longest river is the Thjórsá is 143 mi. long and is found in southern Iceland.
Iceland is home to the most “boiling” river in the world – Deydartunguver.
It is fed by the hot springs and has an average water flow of 225 liters per second.
2-Iceland has the largest glacier in Europe called the Vatnajökull. It is 3,200 sq mi in size and is found in southeast Iceland.
3-Iceland’s longest river is the Thjórsá is 143 mi. long and is found in southern Iceland.
Iceland is home to the most “boiling” river in the world – Deydartunguver.
It is fed by the hot springs and has an average water flow of 225 liters per second.
Feature due to land shape:
Dettifoss, the mightiest waterfall in this part of the world like Niagara Falls in U.S..
It spills over 200 tons of water per second from 135 ft. high.
One can see its splashes a mile away, and rainbows play in its waters on sunny days.
It spills over 200 tons of water per second from 135 ft. high.
One can see its splashes a mile away, and rainbows play in its waters on sunny days.
Feature due to geothermal qualities of the land:
geothermal spots: Stokkur and Geysir.
Strokkur - erupts every couple of minutes
Strokkur - erupts every couple of minutes
Feature due to the northern location of the land:
northern lights - because the sun is out until midnight.
Lowest elevation:
Jökulsárlón Lagoon: -146 m
Hot Springs:
People enjoy many of the hot springs
and the boiling river.
and the boiling river.