What is Iceland hotspot?
[[Image:Lava flow at Krafla, 1984.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Eruption at [[Krafla]], 1984]] [[Image:Volcanic system of Iceland-Map-en.svg|250px|thumb|Active volcanic areas and systems in Iceland]] [[File:Iceland Mid-Atlantic Ridge map.svg|250px|thumb|right]] The '''Iceland hotspot''' is a [[hotspot (geology)|geologic hotspot]]. It is partly responsible for the high volcanic activity which has formed the island of [[Iceland]]. Iceland is one of the most active [[volcano|volcanic]] regions in the world. On Iceland, there are volcanic eruptions about every three years. In the 20th century there were 39 volcanic eruptions on and around Iceland. About a third of the [[basalt]]ic [[lava]]s erupted in recorded history were produced by Icelandic eruptions. Notable eruptions have included that of [[Eldgjá]], a fissure of [[Katla volcano|Katla]], in 934 (the world's largest basaltic eruption ever witnessed), and [[Laki]] in 1783 (the world's second largest). In many places, Iceland is covered by [[glaciers]]. Several eruptions under [[ice cap]]s have burst through the ice. The most recent one was in 2010 after the eruption of [[Eyjafjallajökull]]. Iceland's position over the [[Mid-Atlantic Ridge]] is partly responsible for this intense volcanic activity. It is not understood why Iceland is an island, but the rest of the ridge consists of [[seamount]]s, with peaks below [[sea level]]. == Causes == There is discussion whether the hotspot is caused by a deep [[mantle plume]] or at a shallower depth.<ref>Foulger, Gillian R. 2005. [http://www.mantleplumes.org/Iceland1.html Iceland & the North Atlantic Igneous Province] MantlePlumes.org</ref> Some [[geologist]]s have asked whether the Iceland hotspot has the same cause as other hotspots such as the [[Hawaii hotspot]]. They show a clear volcanic track over time caused by the movement of the [[Pacific Plate]] over the Hawaiian hotspot, but no such track can be seen at Iceland. The line from the [[Grímsvötn]] volcano to [[Surtsey]] may show the movement of the [[Eurasian Plate