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Iceland's volcanoes have been shaping the country's landscape, history, and culture for centuries. Known as the "land of fire and ice," Iceland offers a mix of active and dormant volcanoes that attract visitors worldwide. These geological features provide insights into Iceland's past and contribute to its unique environment.
A significant number of Iceland's volcanoes are stratovolcanoes, characterized by their cone-shaped formations with central craters. The country also has shield volcanoes, which are flatter with dome-like shapes formed by successive eruptions. Many volcanoes in Iceland are subglacial or glaciovolcanoes, covered by glaciers like Grímsvötn under Vatnajökull ice cap and Eyjafjallajökull beneath its namesake glacier.
Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge. This location contributes to the formation of over 100 volcanoes across the island. The boundary is visible at places like Þingvellir National Park and the Bridge Between Continents on the Reykjanes peninsula.
