welcome to the mid-Atlantic Ridge, we're here
in Iceland
where two massive geologic plates have
been pushing apart from each other for
many millions of years
off to your right over here
is the North American Plate
and on your left
what you see slightly in the distance
is the Eurasian Plate
and they are pushing apart
at about the same rate that your fingernails grow
about 2 cm per year
it's really amazing to be here right now
and to think about the amount of power
that is forcing these plates apart and actually growing the island of Iceland.  Truly is amazing
so we are going to explore now
this entirely area was underwater
it was under seawater
but you've got two geologic phenomena going on here.  Number one you've got a seafloor spreading zone
that in itself is creating a huge mountain range that is running down the length of the entire Atlantic Ocean
number two, you also happen to be on a hot spot
there are many hot spots all over the planet
this one is unique in that it happens to be
right where you also have seafloor spreading
and so those two things in combination
have allowed the island of Iceland to grow
so normally when you think about the mid-Atlantic Ridge
you think of seawater
now, on this part of the mid-Atlantic Ridge
all that's collecting is freshwater
