Why is the Iceland so volcanically active

Subject :Geography

Section: Geomorphology

Context: A volcano erupted close to an Iceland power plant after weeks of intense seismic activity southwest of Reykjavik

What are volcanoes:

Volcanoes are openings or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth’s surface, according to the US Geological Survey.
They can be on land or in the ocean and form when material significantly hotter than its surroundings, such as magma (underground) or lava (on the surface), ash, and/or gases, erupts onto the Earth’s surface.
The rise of magma can occur when tectonic plates move away from each other, move towards each other, or at hotspots inside the Earth, where magma is heated up, becoming less dense and rising.

What are the different kinds of volcanoes:

The type of volcano is determined by factors such as the viscosity of the magma, the amount of gas in the magma, the composition of the magma, and the way the magma reaches the surface, according to the British Geological Survey.
There are two main types of volcanoes: stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes.
Stratovolcanoes have steep sides and a more cone-shaped structure, while shield volcanoes have a low profile resembling a shield lying on the ground.
Additionally, various volcanic features can form from erupted magma, such as cinder cones or lava domes, along with processes that shape volcanoes.

Why is Iceland so volcanically active:

Iceland experiences frequent volcanic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean, where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart.
This movement causes volcanic rift zones, where the Earth’s crust is pulled apart and fractured, allowing molten rock or magma to rise and sometimes erupt as lava and/or ash.
Additionally, Iceland is situated over a hot zone or hotspot, contributing to increased volcanic activity in the region.

How many active volcanos does Iceland currently have:

Iceland has 33 active volcanoes which have erupted over 180 times in the past 1,000 years.
Iceland experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
One of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes is Eyjafjallajökull. In 2010, this volcano erupted and caused a massive ash cloud to spread across Europe
Other famous volcanoes include Hekla, Grímsvötn, Hóluhraun, and Litli-Hrútur (part of the Fagradalsfjall system).