Iceland case Study Flashcards
What is the type of the Power plant and where is it located, what does it do?
On the slopes of the Krafla volcano which supplies the whole of North Iceland.
It supplies power to the National Grid when extra power is needed elsewhere
What is used for domestic heating?
The 1973 lava on the island of Heimaey is still at 900 C and the heat has been harnessed for domestic heating.
Most of Iceland’s homes are now geothermally heated
What are tourists attracted by?
Volcanoes and Volcanic landscapes - especially when active
Geysers, hot springs, warm rivers Etc.
What percentage of Iceland’s GDP is made up of tourism?
6%
What is GLASSHOUSE CULTIVATION?
Iceland can grow bananas, tomatoes (Etc.) and is almost self sufficient in horticultural produce in spite of It’s climate.
Why is glasshouse cultivation possible?
Because Basaltic Ash is potentially very fertile. (E.g) On mount Vesuvius the high like content has made the soil very fertile.
Farms south of Eyjafjallajökull had their best crop yield immediately after the March/April eruption in 2010
Icelanders have developed a way of using volcanic ash to speed up the growth of plants
What industry uses the volcanic ash?
The building industry uses the volcanic ash to make breeze blocks and stucco
Ash is used to make the foundations for roads and houses
Sulphur deposits can be quarried but it’s hard to compete with huge, cheaper USA deposits.
Ash is used as tough cement in buildings
What is special about the island of Heimaey?
The lava flow provided a protective harbor wall
How many tourists are attracted to Iceland’s volcanic properties every year?
700,000 tourists attracted to Iceland
