THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE
Sixteen million years ago, in the northern-most region of the Earth, a land of fire and ice first appeared after a fissure in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge created a volcanic hotspot that gave birth to this landmass. Here, the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, continuously diverging and expanding the land area by five centimetres each year. Active volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and geothermal areas populate the island. Because of its dramatic topography and geographical location, almost 80 percent of the country is uninhabited, with only 330,000 people living in Iceland today.
Inspiringly, all of Iceland’s energy is produced via geothermal and hydroelectric power, with 90 percent of households heated by geothermal water. The land offers plentiful natural resources that Icelanders have harnessed to produce renewable energy.
Iceland’s underwater sights are no less enchanting than its topside scenery. Flooded ice caves and hydrothermal underwater cones are just some of the unique dive sites that the land of fire and ice offers.
