Iceland is a country that makes very efficient use of it's limited natural resources. In 2013, 99% of it's electricity for example, was produced by a combination of hydroelectric and geothermal plants.Icelandic Power Authority: Icelandic generation of electricity
It's mineral resources however, are almost negligible. While Iceland has begun producing aluminum in recent years, with several large-scale smelting factories being built in the last two decades, The bauxite (ore that aluminum comes from) is not mined in Iceland. Foreign metal companies (one of the largest being Century aluminum co, of Monterey California) have been attracted here by the cheap electricity costs due to the abundant sources of hydroelectric and geothermal power. The icelandic people are not entirely pleased about this foreign investment however. Read the LA times article here:Iceland divided over foreign aluminum companies. Iceland does produce some cement and pumice USGS: Iceland's mineral production from it's igneous rock, but the country's only native mineral resource is something called diatomite.
Diatomite is an organic mineral formed by algae called diatoms. It is actually the silica-based exoskeletons of these tiny creatures. While microscopic individually, they form substantial deposits when they collect over many generations. (think of coral reefs!) Diatomite has many and quite varied uses. Everything from a mild abrasive in toothpastes and soaps to a natural insecticide. (feed some to your pets to keep them pest free, no kidding!) All Icelandic diatomite comes from only one source, a lake called Lake Myvatn. This lake provides the perfect habitat for these diatoms to live and thrive due to it's proximity to volcanic heat sources. 
above: a sample of diatomite
Right: a diatom under magnification
Hi, Brendan!
ReplyDeleteIt is absolutely amazing that Iceland satisfies 99% of its electricity needs using hydroelectric and geothermal plants. I was actually surprised to find that Iceland only has only one native mineral resource (the diatomite) whose formation process is so interesting from what you described. But I think it actually makes sense because of the recurrent high volcanic activity. Clearly the recurrent eruptions lead to the formation of igneous rocks, which is what most of the earth is made up of, as we recently learned. And definitely Iceland must be replete with igneous rocks. And undoubtedly volcanologists ("geologists who study the processes involved in the formation and eruptive activity of volcanoes and their current and historic eruptions", according to the google definition) have no shortage of work in Iceland.
However, I am wondering if these eruptions are causing what the volcano Nevado del Ruiz caused in Colombia, setting the stage for agricultural development and population growth by creating highly fertile arable lands in the areas at the periphery of the volcano. I can only imagine that Iceland must have some really fertile arable terrain which may render it internally sustainable in terms of food resources as well (not just electricity, as you pointed out), if that is the case. It is fascinating how geology casts light on some of the economic aspects of our lives to which we sometimes pay no attention to! Thank you for a very informative and interesting entry that I learned so much from!
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteHello Camelia! Thank you very much for your comment. As to volcanologists having a lot of work in Iceland, you are quite correct there. In the same way that California is seismically active on a near constant basis, Iceland is volcanically active. While the soil is very rich, the icelandic terrain is not arable,.... yet. My impression of the island is that most of the rock is simply too new. It hasn't been broken down into soil yet. In the places where you would find abundant grasses in other lands, Iceland instead has mosses and lichens, primarily lichens. These organisms can survive in a very shallow bed of soil, and help to make new soil by breaking down the basaltic lava with their roots. These are the most common types of vegetation all over the island. It is incredibly interesting to walk through. Another problem with the creation of soil is the location of the volcanoes. Many of them are buried under glaciers. This causes most eruptions which would scatter very fertile ash in other regions of the world to eject only the larger material, and much of the smaller material to get caught up in the inevitable flooding that happens when an eruption meets a glacier. Now, all of this being said, there is a green in iceland, and a feeling of richness to the land that I have seen elsewhere only in ireland. I believe that as time goes on and more of the island is pulled away from the Mid-Atlantic ridge, and acted upon by erosion, that it will become a paradise of fertility. Thank you very much for your interest, I look forward to hearing more from you throughout the semester.
DeleteBrandon, Really enjoyed the detail you put into your blog. I think Iceland is a really cool country and I'm glad you chose it because i would love to learn more and more about it. Thanks for sharing the details.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Corbin, I am very interested in it myself, it is a really unique place. Iceland should provide me with interesting topics all semester, I hope to hear more from you!
DeleteBrendan
Hi
ReplyDeleteFantastic complete entry. As you are enrolled in Geol2, you will get to see/touch a diatomite really soon (if you haven't already).
I wanted to address the comment from Camelia about volcanoes. You will all see this soon, but all catastrophes have a positive side and have their natural service functions. In this case, maybe fertilizing some of the soil, geothermal power, tourism?..