Introduction

Abstract

If you want to understand the natural forces that shape our planet, then the place to go to is Iceland. There is no equally small area on this planet that offers such a variety of easily observed geological processes as Iceland. You can observe the tectonic plates that constitute the Earth’s surface moving apart, also known as spreading , and thereby giving rise to volcanic eruptions , earthquakes , geysers , and geothermal energy . Then there are the large rivers with beautiful waterfalls , as well as the ice caps and the outlet glaciers that have cut or eroded deep valleys and fjords into the land, the surface of the crust, forming tall mountains in-between. All these can be observed and understood in Iceland.