56. The island of Iceland is located at a divergent plate boundary. At this boundary, the North American plate and the Eurasian plate are moving apart. What is expected about natural hazards in Iceland, based on its tectonic setting?
Answer: D
Natural hazards in Iceland include a high risk of both volcanism and earthquakes.
Iceland's position at a divergent plate boundary, where the North American and Eurasian plates are moving apart, indicates significant geological activity. This tectonic setting typically leads to the formation of new crust through volcanic activity and can also generate earthquakes as the plates shift.
A) There is high risk of large earthquakes and low risk of volcanism.
This option is incorrect because, while there is indeed a risk of earthquakes due to the movement of tectonic plates, the assertion of low risk of volcanism is misleading. Iceland experiences frequent volcanic eruptions as a result of its divergent boundary location, which contradicts this option.
B) There is low risk of both volcanism and earthquakes.
This choice is incorrect as it underestimates the geological activity associated with Iceland's tectonic setting. Given that Iceland is situated on a divergent plate boundary, it is characterized by significant volcanic activity and earthquakes, making the risk anything but low.
C) There is high risk of volcanism and low risk of large earthquakes.
While this option correctly identifies the high risk of volcanism in Iceland, it incorrectly downplays the risk of earthquakes. The tectonic activity along the divergent boundary contributes to both frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, making this statement partially accurate but ultimately incorrect.
D) There is high risk of both volcanism and earthquakes.
This option accurately reflects the geological realities of Iceland's tectonic environment. The island's position at a divergent plate boundary leads to substantial volcanic activity as magma rises to create new crust, and the movement of the tectonic plates also generates earthquakes, thus confirming both hazards are present.
Conclusion
Option D is definitively correct as it acknowledges the high risk of both volcanism and earthquakes in Iceland, which is typical for regions located at divergent plate boundaries. The other options fail to recognize the significant geological activity inherent to this tectonic setting, leading to a misunderstanding of the natural hazards Iceland faces.