Difference between revisions of "Earth Science 7 - Europe/ Iceland 4"
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==Bodies of Water== | ==Bodies of Water== | ||
| − | ===Oceans | + | ===Oceans=== |
-North Atlantic Ocean | -North Atlantic Ocean | ||
| − | ===Seas | + | ===Seas=== |
-Mediterranean Sea | -Mediterranean Sea | ||
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-Ionian Sea | -Ionian Sea | ||
| − | ===Major Rivers | + | ===Major Rivers=== |
-Danube | -Danube | ||
| Line 162: | Line 162: | ||
==Major Topographical Features== | ==Major Topographical Features== | ||
| − | ===Mountains | + | ===Mountains=== |
-Alps | -Alps | ||
| Line 180: | Line 180: | ||
-Ural Mountains | -Ural Mountains | ||
| − | ===Plains | + | ===Plains=== |
-Great Hungarian Plain | -Great Hungarian Plain | ||
| Line 186: | Line 186: | ||
-North European Plain | -North European Plain | ||
| − | ===Plateaus | + | ===Plateaus=== |
-Massif Central | -Massif Central | ||
| Line 192: | Line 192: | ||
-Mesata | -Mesata | ||
| − | ===Other | + | ===Other=== |
-Atlantic Highlands | -Atlantic Highlands | ||
| Line 214: | Line 214: | ||
ET- Polar tundra, no true summer | ET- Polar tundra, no true summer | ||
| − | ===Latitude | + | ===Latitude=== |
<ref> [http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/biomes_map_big2.jpg] </ref> | <ref> [http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/biomes_map_big2.jpg] </ref> | ||
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/biomes_map_big2.jpg | http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/images/biomes_map_big2.jpg | ||
| Line 222: | Line 222: | ||
The extreme northern part of Europe is either taiga or tundra, meaning very cold and very dry weather. Plants do not grow here, so there are few to no farms in these areas. For this reason, it is bitterly cold in northern Europe, especially in the winter. There is also a taiga-like climate in Switzerland and Austria. | The extreme northern part of Europe is either taiga or tundra, meaning very cold and very dry weather. Plants do not grow here, so there are few to no farms in these areas. For this reason, it is bitterly cold in northern Europe, especially in the winter. There is also a taiga-like climate in Switzerland and Austria. | ||
| − | ===Elevation | + | ===Elevation=== |
Europe is mostly at or near to sea level. But there are some extremes, like Mount Elbrus in Russia (the highest point in Europe) and the extreme low of the Caspian Sea (the lowest point in Europe). But even so, the climates in these areas are the same. This is because they are at the same latitude. | Europe is mostly at or near to sea level. But there are some extremes, like Mount Elbrus in Russia (the highest point in Europe) and the extreme low of the Caspian Sea (the lowest point in Europe). But even so, the climates in these areas are the same. This is because they are at the same latitude. | ||
| − | ===Topography | + | ===Topography=== |
The terrain produces roughness to the wind flow that can change the speed and direction. It also heats unevenly, and that produces rising currents of air as well as regions of higher or lower barometric pressure. The terrain can also act as a barrier. It can restrict the flow of the coastal stratus or rain clouds that dump more precipitation because of the added lift from the terrain. | The terrain produces roughness to the wind flow that can change the speed and direction. It also heats unevenly, and that produces rising currents of air as well as regions of higher or lower barometric pressure. The terrain can also act as a barrier. It can restrict the flow of the coastal stratus or rain clouds that dump more precipitation because of the added lift from the terrain. | ||
| Line 232: | Line 232: | ||
Since Europe has many steppes and mountains, the rainfall in Europe is somewhat scattered. Obviously, the mountains get lots of snow, but places that are hot in Europe (like Spain/Portugal) also tend to be fairly dry. Also, hot and dry places tend to be flatter than, say, Austria or Switzerland, where there are many mountains but it is cold and there is lots of precipitation. | Since Europe has many steppes and mountains, the rainfall in Europe is somewhat scattered. Obviously, the mountains get lots of snow, but places that are hot in Europe (like Spain/Portugal) also tend to be fairly dry. Also, hot and dry places tend to be flatter than, say, Austria or Switzerland, where there are many mountains but it is cold and there is lots of precipitation. | ||
| − | ===Proximity to Water | + | ===Proximity to Water=== |
Since Europe is so near to water sources (the Mediterranean Sea/the Atlantic Ocean), Europe's climate is vastly affected by water. In fact, the reason that Europe has consistent amounts of precipitation year-round is because the closer to water you are, the more precipitation you get. | Since Europe is so near to water sources (the Mediterranean Sea/the Atlantic Ocean), Europe's climate is vastly affected by water. In fact, the reason that Europe has consistent amounts of precipitation year-round is because the closer to water you are, the more precipitation you get. | ||
| − | ===Prevailing Winds | + | ===Prevailing Winds=== |
Europe’s northerly location places it in the prevailing westerly wind belt. This brings mild maritime air from the Atlantic modifying the winters and summers (Africa’s dry land mass lies just across the Mediterranean). These prevailing winds also prevent bitterly cold arctic air from penetrating into the continent instead they sweep into Russia, which does experience bitterly cold winters. Only occasionally, due to changes in jet stream currents, does arctic air penetrate all the way to the Mediterranean. Instead of continental polar air masses, Europe is dominated by cool maritime air from the Atlantic. | Europe’s northerly location places it in the prevailing westerly wind belt. This brings mild maritime air from the Atlantic modifying the winters and summers (Africa’s dry land mass lies just across the Mediterranean). These prevailing winds also prevent bitterly cold arctic air from penetrating into the continent instead they sweep into Russia, which does experience bitterly cold winters. Only occasionally, due to changes in jet stream currents, does arctic air penetrate all the way to the Mediterranean. Instead of continental polar air masses, Europe is dominated by cool maritime air from the Atlantic. | ||
| − | ===Vegetation | + | ===Vegetation=== |
Since places with more vegetation get more rain, and Europe has quite a bit of vegetation, Europe gets lots of rain. | Since places with more vegetation get more rain, and Europe has quite a bit of vegetation, Europe gets lots of rain. | ||
| − | ===High/Low Pressure Systems | + | ===High/Low Pressure Systems=== |
Europe mainly contains a low pressure system. The pressure may vary slightly during different times, but mainly stays the same. | Europe mainly contains a low pressure system. The pressure may vary slightly during different times, but mainly stays the same. | ||
| Line 251: | Line 251: | ||
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/160697/530wm/E1120032-European_isobaric_map_with_low_and_high_systems-SPL.jpg | http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/160697/530wm/E1120032-European_isobaric_map_with_low_and_high_systems-SPL.jpg | ||
| − | ===Ocean Currents | + | ===Ocean Currents=== |
The nearest ocean current is the North Atlantic Drift. The North Atlantic Drift is a warm current traveling north toward the poles. | The nearest ocean current is the North Atlantic Drift. The North Atlantic Drift is a warm current traveling north toward the poles. | ||
| Line 259: | Line 259: | ||
<ref> http://www.rssweather.com/dir/Europe </ref> | <ref> http://www.rssweather.com/dir/Europe </ref> | ||
| − | ===Temperature | + | ===Temperature=== |
[[Image:http://www.rssweather.com/Weather-Maps/Europe#]] | [[Image:http://www.rssweather.com/Weather-Maps/Europe#]] | ||
==Geology== | ==Geology== | ||
| − | ===Minerals | + | ===Minerals=== |
In northern Europe, there is lots of coal. There is also lots of iron in these areas. Also, there is lots of aluminium in the Balkan peninsula and surrounding areas. In Scandinavia, there is lots of zinc and titanium. In southeastern Europe and southern Spain, there is lots of oil. In the Ukraine, there is graphite, lead, and iron ore. In Turkey, there is lots of feldspar and sulfur. In Austria. there is graphite. | In northern Europe, there is lots of coal. There is also lots of iron in these areas. Also, there is lots of aluminium in the Balkan peninsula and surrounding areas. In Scandinavia, there is lots of zinc and titanium. In southeastern Europe and southern Spain, there is lots of oil. In the Ukraine, there is graphite, lead, and iron ore. In Turkey, there is lots of feldspar and sulfur. In Austria. there is graphite. | ||
| − | ===Rocks Types | + | ===Rocks Types=== |
For rocks, there is lots of slate, gneiss, and quartzite in the eastern Balkans. In the United Kingdom, there is coal, slate, and gypsum. In Turkey, there is coal, limestone, marble, and pumice. In Albania and Austria, there is coal. In Estonia, there is shale, peat, limestone, and dolomite. In Portugal, there is marble and gypsum. In Spain there is coal. | For rocks, there is lots of slate, gneiss, and quartzite in the eastern Balkans. In the United Kingdom, there is coal, slate, and gypsum. In Turkey, there is coal, limestone, marble, and pumice. In Albania and Austria, there is coal. In Estonia, there is shale, peat, limestone, and dolomite. In Portugal, there is marble and gypsum. In Spain there is coal. | ||
| + | ===Mining Resources=== | ||
| − | + | ====Europe==== | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | ====Europe | + | |
Aluminum | Aluminum | ||
| Line 302: | Line 300: | ||
Uranium | Uranium | ||
| − | ====Iceland | + | ====Iceland==== |
Aluminum | Aluminum | ||
| Line 321: | Line 319: | ||
Europe and half of Iceland are on the Eurasian Plate. The Eurasian plate has a passive continental margin on the west side where there is a divergent boundary with the North American Plate. The south of the Eurasian Plate is at a convergent boundary with the Indian, Arabian, and Australian Plates. These boundaries has active continental margin. The east of the Eurasian Plate is also a convergent boundary, but this time time the Philippine and Pacific Plates. | Europe and half of Iceland are on the Eurasian Plate. The Eurasian plate has a passive continental margin on the west side where there is a divergent boundary with the North American Plate. The south of the Eurasian Plate is at a convergent boundary with the Indian, Arabian, and Australian Plates. These boundaries has active continental margin. The east of the Eurasian Plate is also a convergent boundary, but this time time the Philippine and Pacific Plates. | ||
| + | The other half of Iceland is on the Caribbean Plate side of the Mid-Atlantic Rdige. | ||
| − | ===Volcanoes | + | ===Volcanoes=== |
| − | Mount Elbrus, which is also the tallest mountain in all of Europe, happens to be a stratovolcano (otherwise known as a composite volcano). | + | ====Mt. Elbrus==== |
| + | |||
| + | Mount Elbrus, which is also the tallest mountain in all of Europe, happens to be a stratovolcano (otherwise known as a composite volcano). It is inactive but it was active during the Holocene era. Lava flows and pyroclastic flows cover the mountain. The type of lava that comes from Elbrus is unknown but is most likely andesitic because Elbrus is a composite volcano. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Hekla==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hekla, which is arguably one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, is found in Iceland along the Mid-Ocean Ridge. It erupted 4 times in the 20th century, the last of them being in 2000. Since it is not in contact with a glacier, it is much less explosive than other volcanoes in Iceland. It erupts once about every 10 years. All three different magma types have been found in Hekla, making it very unique. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Eyjafjallajökull==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Eyjafjallajökull, an Icelandic volcano, had its last major eruption in 2010. This eruption, consisting of andesitic magma, caused almost all flights in Northern Europe to be delayed. It is a stratovolcano (also known as a composite volcano) and tends to be fairly explosive. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Other Volcanoes==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <ref> [http://www.volcano.si.edu/volcanoes/region01/01_map.png] </ref> http://www.volcano.si.edu/volcanoes/region01/01_map.png | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=01 | ||
| + | |||
| + | As you can see, there are many volcanoes in Italy, Greece, and Turkey, which is not surprising because these countries are along a plate boundary. In total, Europe has 38 major volcanoes, most of which have erupted in the Holocene epoch. However, there are two of those 34 volcanoes that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch: one in Turkey and one in Greece. The volcano in Italy that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch is Amiata, and it is a lava dome. It contains rhyolitic magma. The volcano in Greece that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch is Kos, and it is a caldera. | ||
| + | |||
| + | A list of the active volcanoes (and the type of volcano) in Europe: | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Western Europe===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | -West Eifel Volcanic Field (Maars, Germany) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Chaine Des Puys (Lava domes, France) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Olot Volcanic Field (Pyroclastic cones, Spain) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Calatrava Volcanic Field (Pyroclastic cones, Spain) | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Italy===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Larderello (explosion craters) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Amiata (lava domes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Vulsini (caldera) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Alban Hills (caldera) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Campi Flegrei (caldera) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Vesuvius (somma volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Ischia (complex volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Palinuro (submarine volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Stromboli (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Panarea (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Lipari (stratovolcanoes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Vulcano (stratovolcanoes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Etna (stratovolcanoes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Campi Flegrei Mar Silica (submarine volcanoes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Pantelleria (shield volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Greece===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Methana (lava domes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Milos (stratovolcanoes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Santorini (shield volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Nisyros (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Yali (lava domes) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Kos (calderas) | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Turkey===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Kula (cinder cones) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Karapinar Field (cinder cones) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Hasan Dagi (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Gollu Dag (lava dome) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Acigol-Nevsehir (caldera) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Erciyes Dagi (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Karaca Dag (shield volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Nemrut Dagi (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Suphan Dagi (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Girekol Tepe (shield volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Tendurek Dagi (shield volcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Ararat (stratovolcano) | ||
| + | |||
| + | -Kars Plateau (volcanic field) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Earthquakes=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/europe/images/europe_haz.gif <ref> http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2010/04/13/junk-natural-hazards-science-of-the-month-earthquake-risks-to-the-world-cup-in-south-africa/</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Europe Earthquakes==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | As you can see in the picture above, the most dangerous and largest earthquakes in the past 50 years occur in the southeast areas of Europe. As you progress to the northwest, the earthquakes are mostly 1.6 or lower. In the middle of Europe, the earthquakes are moderate, not causing as much damage as the ones in the southeast. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The largest earthquake in Europe was the Lisbon, Portugal earthquake of 1755. The copper engravings showed the devastation created by this phenomenon. Half of the population died, and the city was destroyed. <ref>http://geology.about.com/library/bl/bllisbon1755eq.htm</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Recent Earthquakes===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ======Less Than 4.5====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | 4/20/12- West Turkey (2.9), East Turkey(2.5), Strait of Gibraltar (2.5), Central Italy (2.3), Romania (2.3), Aegean Sea 2.9) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ======Greater Than 4.5====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | 4/20/12- Multiple Iran/Iraq Region (4.9) | ||
| + | |||
| + | ======Greater Than 5====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | 4/20/12- Iran/Iraq Region (5.0) <ref>http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/?filter=no&min_lat=10&min_long=-30&max_long=65&view=2</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====Iceland Earthquakes==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | As you can see in the picture above, Iceland's most dangerous earth quakes are spread out on the body of land. There are spots of dangerous ones, but mostly the earthquakes are less than 0.8 magnitude. <ref>http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2010/04/13/junk-natural-hazards-science-of-the-month-earthquake-risks-to-the-world-cup-in-south-africa/</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Recent Earthquakes===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | 3/1/09- Iceland (4.6)<ref>http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/10_largest_world.php</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ======Significant Earthquakes====== | ||
| + | |||
| + | None | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Types of Rock===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The type of rock in Iceland/Europe is basalt. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 350: | Line 493: | ||
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2007/myb3-2007-ic.pdf | http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2007/myb3-2007-ic.pdf | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://climbing.about.com/od/thesevensummits/a/Mount-Elbrus-Russias-Highest-Mountain.htm | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.natureexplorer.is/home/about-iceland/volcanoes-in-iceland/ | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.buzzle.com/articles/active-volcanoes-in-europe.html | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=01 | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0100 | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0101 | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0102 | ||
| + | |||
| + | http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0103 | ||
The wide expanse of knowledge we call Jayan's Brain | The wide expanse of knowledge we call Jayan's Brain | ||
Latest revision as of 17:52, 25 April 2012
Contents
Link
http://wiki.sjs.org/wiki/index.php?title=Earth_Science_7_-_Europe/_Iceland_4&action=edit
Countries
-Austria
-Albania
-Estonia
-England
-Portugal
-Spain
-Ireland
-France
-Germany
-Italy
-Hungary
-Romania
-Macedonia
-Belarus
-Sweden
-Greece
-Bulgaria
-Kosovo
-Vatican City
-San Marino
-Norway
-Turkey
-Moldova
-Iceland
-Montenegro
-Serbia
-Croatia
-Belgium
-Netherlands (formerly Holland)
-Czech Republic
-Austria
-Switzerland
-Slovakia
-Poland
-Hungary
-Western Russia
-Ukraine
-Lithuania
-Latvia
-Denmark
-Finland
-Bosnia and Herzegovina
Note: We are not including the countries of Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan as part of Europe.
Latitude and Longitude
Latitude/Longitude:54.076/23.0273
Elevation Range
Highest Point: Mount Elbrus, Russia (18,510 ft high)
Lowest Point: Caspian Sea (3,363 ft below sea level)
Bodies of Water
Oceans
-North Atlantic Ocean
Seas
-Mediterranean Sea
-Caspian Sea
-Black Sea
-North Sea
-Greenland Sea
-Norwegian Sea
-Baltic Sea
-White Sea
-Celtic Sea
-Adriatic Sea
-Aegean Sea
-Tyrrhenian Sea
-Ionian Sea
Major Rivers
-Danube
-Dnieper
-Don
-Elbe
-Loire
-Oder
-Po
-Rhine
-Rhone
-Shannon
-Tagus
Major Topographical Features
Mountains
-Alps
-Apennines
-Balkan Mountains
-Carpathian Mountains
-Caucasus Mountains
-Kjolen Mountains
-Pyrenees
-Ural Mountains
Plains
-Great Hungarian Plain
-North European Plain
Plateaus
-Massif Central
-Mesata
Other
-Atlantic Highlands
-Scandinavian Shield
Climate Zones
Most of Europe is in the Cfb subdivision. It is also in the Csa and Dfb subdivisions.
Cfb- Mild with no dry season, warm summer. Average temperature of all months is lower than 72°F (22°C). At least four months with average temperatures over 50°F (10°C). Year around equally spread rainfall.
Dfb- Humid with severe winter, no dry season, warm summer
Csa- Mild with dry, hot summer. Warmest month has average temperature more than 72°F (22°C). At least four months with average temperatures over 50°F (10°C). Frost danger in winter. At least three times as much precipitation during wettest winter months as in the driest summer month.
Iceland is in the ET subdivision
ET- Polar tundra, no true summer
Latitude
Since Europe is between the latitudes that it is (54.076/23.0273), the southern parts of Europe (the parts near the Mediterranean Sea) are very hot and dry, as the wind blows not north, but to the west. Because of this, fires are very common in these areas. The middle-northern part of Europe is temperate forest, meaning that temperatures are fairly moderate with clear seasons. Much of the food that humans eat is grown in temperate forest. Farms and countryside are found in this part of Europe. The extreme northern part of Europe is either taiga or tundra, meaning very cold and very dry weather. Plants do not grow here, so there are few to no farms in these areas. For this reason, it is bitterly cold in northern Europe, especially in the winter. There is also a taiga-like climate in Switzerland and Austria.
Elevation
Europe is mostly at or near to sea level. But there are some extremes, like Mount Elbrus in Russia (the highest point in Europe) and the extreme low of the Caspian Sea (the lowest point in Europe). But even so, the climates in these areas are the same. This is because they are at the same latitude.
Topography
The terrain produces roughness to the wind flow that can change the speed and direction. It also heats unevenly, and that produces rising currents of air as well as regions of higher or lower barometric pressure. The terrain can also act as a barrier. It can restrict the flow of the coastal stratus or rain clouds that dump more precipitation because of the added lift from the terrain.
Since Europe has many steppes and mountains, the rainfall in Europe is somewhat scattered. Obviously, the mountains get lots of snow, but places that are hot in Europe (like Spain/Portugal) also tend to be fairly dry. Also, hot and dry places tend to be flatter than, say, Austria or Switzerland, where there are many mountains but it is cold and there is lots of precipitation.
Proximity to Water
Since Europe is so near to water sources (the Mediterranean Sea/the Atlantic Ocean), Europe's climate is vastly affected by water. In fact, the reason that Europe has consistent amounts of precipitation year-round is because the closer to water you are, the more precipitation you get.
Prevailing Winds
Europe’s northerly location places it in the prevailing westerly wind belt. This brings mild maritime air from the Atlantic modifying the winters and summers (Africa’s dry land mass lies just across the Mediterranean). These prevailing winds also prevent bitterly cold arctic air from penetrating into the continent instead they sweep into Russia, which does experience bitterly cold winters. Only occasionally, due to changes in jet stream currents, does arctic air penetrate all the way to the Mediterranean. Instead of continental polar air masses, Europe is dominated by cool maritime air from the Atlantic.
Vegetation
Since places with more vegetation get more rain, and Europe has quite a bit of vegetation, Europe gets lots of rain.
High/Low Pressure Systems
Europe mainly contains a low pressure system. The pressure may vary slightly during different times, but mainly stays the same.
Ocean Currents
The nearest ocean current is the North Atlantic Drift. The North Atlantic Drift is a warm current traveling north toward the poles.
Weather
Temperature
File:Http://www.rssweather.com/Weather-Maps/Europe
Geology
Minerals
In northern Europe, there is lots of coal. There is also lots of iron in these areas. Also, there is lots of aluminium in the Balkan peninsula and surrounding areas. In Scandinavia, there is lots of zinc and titanium. In southeastern Europe and southern Spain, there is lots of oil. In the Ukraine, there is graphite, lead, and iron ore. In Turkey, there is lots of feldspar and sulfur. In Austria. there is graphite.
Rocks Types
For rocks, there is lots of slate, gneiss, and quartzite in the eastern Balkans. In the United Kingdom, there is coal, slate, and gypsum. In Turkey, there is coal, limestone, marble, and pumice. In Albania and Austria, there is coal. In Estonia, there is shale, peat, limestone, and dolomite. In Portugal, there is marble and gypsum. In Spain there is coal.
Mining Resources
Europe
Aluminum
Copper
Gold
Iron Ore
Steel
Lead
Nickel
Palladium
Zinc
Diamond
Coal
Uranium
Iceland
Aluminum
Pumice
Scoria
Basalt
Rhyolite
Salt
Sand
Plate Tectonics
Europe and half of Iceland are on the Eurasian Plate. The Eurasian plate has a passive continental margin on the west side where there is a divergent boundary with the North American Plate. The south of the Eurasian Plate is at a convergent boundary with the Indian, Arabian, and Australian Plates. These boundaries has active continental margin. The east of the Eurasian Plate is also a convergent boundary, but this time time the Philippine and Pacific Plates. The other half of Iceland is on the Caribbean Plate side of the Mid-Atlantic Rdige.
Volcanoes
Mt. Elbrus
Mount Elbrus, which is also the tallest mountain in all of Europe, happens to be a stratovolcano (otherwise known as a composite volcano). It is inactive but it was active during the Holocene era. Lava flows and pyroclastic flows cover the mountain. The type of lava that comes from Elbrus is unknown but is most likely andesitic because Elbrus is a composite volcano.
Hekla
Hekla, which is arguably one of the most famous volcanoes in the world, is found in Iceland along the Mid-Ocean Ridge. It erupted 4 times in the 20th century, the last of them being in 2000. Since it is not in contact with a glacier, it is much less explosive than other volcanoes in Iceland. It erupts once about every 10 years. All three different magma types have been found in Hekla, making it very unique.
Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull, an Icelandic volcano, had its last major eruption in 2010. This eruption, consisting of andesitic magma, caused almost all flights in Northern Europe to be delayed. It is a stratovolcano (also known as a composite volcano) and tends to be fairly explosive.
Other Volcanoes
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=01
As you can see, there are many volcanoes in Italy, Greece, and Turkey, which is not surprising because these countries are along a plate boundary. In total, Europe has 38 major volcanoes, most of which have erupted in the Holocene epoch. However, there are two of those 34 volcanoes that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch: one in Turkey and one in Greece. The volcano in Italy that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch is Amiata, and it is a lava dome. It contains rhyolitic magma. The volcano in Greece that last erupted in the Pleistocene epoch is Kos, and it is a caldera.
A list of the active volcanoes (and the type of volcano) in Europe:
Western Europe
-West Eifel Volcanic Field (Maars, Germany)
-Chaine Des Puys (Lava domes, France)
-Olot Volcanic Field (Pyroclastic cones, Spain)
-Calatrava Volcanic Field (Pyroclastic cones, Spain)
Italy
-Larderello (explosion craters)
-Amiata (lava domes)
-Vulsini (caldera)
-Alban Hills (caldera)
-Campi Flegrei (caldera)
-Vesuvius (somma volcano)
-Ischia (complex volcano)
-Palinuro (submarine volcano)
-Stromboli (stratovolcano)
-Panarea (stratovolcano)
-Lipari (stratovolcanoes)
-Vulcano (stratovolcanoes)
-Etna (stratovolcanoes)
-Campi Flegrei Mar Silica (submarine volcanoes)
-Pantelleria (shield volcano)
Greece
-Methana (lava domes)
-Milos (stratovolcanoes)
-Santorini (shield volcano)
-Nisyros (stratovolcano)
-Yali (lava domes)
-Kos (calderas)
Turkey
-Kula (cinder cones)
-Karapinar Field (cinder cones)
-Hasan Dagi (stratovolcano)
-Gollu Dag (lava dome)
-Acigol-Nevsehir (caldera)
-Erciyes Dagi (stratovolcano)
-Karaca Dag (shield volcano)
-Nemrut Dagi (stratovolcano)
-Suphan Dagi (stratovolcano)
-Girekol Tepe (shield volcano)
-Tendurek Dagi (shield volcano)
-Ararat (stratovolcano)
-Kars Plateau (volcanic field)
Earthquakes
Europe Earthquakes
As you can see in the picture above, the most dangerous and largest earthquakes in the past 50 years occur in the southeast areas of Europe. As you progress to the northwest, the earthquakes are mostly 1.6 or lower. In the middle of Europe, the earthquakes are moderate, not causing as much damage as the ones in the southeast.
The largest earthquake in Europe was the Lisbon, Portugal earthquake of 1755. The copper engravings showed the devastation created by this phenomenon. Half of the population died, and the city was destroyed. [7]
Recent Earthquakes
Less Than 4.5
4/20/12- West Turkey (2.9), East Turkey(2.5), Strait of Gibraltar (2.5), Central Italy (2.3), Romania (2.3), Aegean Sea 2.9)
Greater Than 4.5
4/20/12- Multiple Iran/Iraq Region (4.9)
Greater Than 5
4/20/12- Iran/Iraq Region (5.0) [8]
Iceland Earthquakes
As you can see in the picture above, Iceland's most dangerous earth quakes are spread out on the body of land. There are spots of dangerous ones, but mostly the earthquakes are less than 0.8 magnitude. [9]
Recent Earthquakes
3/1/09- Iceland (4.6)[10]
Significant Earthquakes
None
Types of Rock
The type of rock in Iceland/Europe is basalt.
References
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ [2]
- ↑ [3]
- ↑ http://www.rssweather.com/dir/Europe
- ↑ [4]
- ↑ http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2010/04/13/junk-natural-hazards-science-of-the-month-earthquake-risks-to-the-world-cup-in-south-africa/
- ↑ http://geology.about.com/library/bl/bllisbon1755eq.htm
- ↑ http://www.emsc-csem.org/Earthquake/?filter=no&min_lat=10&min_long=-30&max_long=65&view=2
- ↑ http://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2010/04/13/junk-natural-hazards-science-of-the-month-earthquake-risks-to-the-world-cup-in-south-africa/
- ↑ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/world/10_largest_world.php
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/europe/europec.htm
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/euland3.htm
http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/climate/cli_latitude.html
http://ggweather.com/archive/weacornermay04.htm
http://www.harpercollege.edu/mhealy/g101ilec/europe/eud/euphys/euphytx.htm
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/160697/enlarge
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2111.html
http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-mineral-map.htm] </ref> http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-mineral-map.htm
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2007/myb3-sum-2007-europe-eurasia.pdf
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/2007/myb3-2007-ic.pdf
http://climbing.about.com/od/thesevensummits/a/Mount-Elbrus-Russias-Highest-Mountain.htm
http://www.natureexplorer.is/home/about-iceland/volcanoes-in-iceland/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/active-volcanoes-in-europe.html
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=01
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0100
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0101
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0102
http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/region.cfm?rnum=0103
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