Physical setting
Island country
geographic context
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Geography & Environment
Geography & Environment in Iceland
ReykjavÃkLocal time
Geography & Environment
Iceland’s physical geography is defined by active volcanism, ice-covered highlands and a strongly indented coast, with glaciers feeding short rivers across young volcanic terrain.
Relief anchor
Volcanic highlands, glaciers and fjorded coasts
regional relief reference
Iceland at a Glance
Iceland’s physical geography is defined by active volcanism, ice-covered highlands and a strongly indented coast, with glaciers feeding short rivers across young volcanic terrain.
Physical geography
terrain · drainage · setting
Iceland is a volcanic island of highlands, active volcanic systems and extensive glaciers, cut by valleys and deeply indented by fjords along many coastal sectors. The relief focus used here is Volcanic highlands, glaciers and fjorded coasts, presented as a regional physical reference.
Regional frameNorthern Europe
SettingIsland country
Relief focusVolcanic highlands, glaciers and fjorded coasts
Climate pattern
The climate is cool maritime to subpolar and is moderated by the North Atlantic, with strong local effects from elevation, exposure and glaciers.
Water and landform context
Glaciers and frequent precipitation feed many short, fast rivers, lakes and broad glacial outwash systems that carry sediment from the interior toward the coast.
Terrain, Climate and Environment
Three connected views of Iceland's physical setting.
Relief and terrain
PhysicalIceland is a volcanic island of highlands, active volcanic systems and extensive glaciers, cut by valleys and deeply indented by fjords along many coastal sectors. The relief reference on this page is Volcanic highlands, glaciers and fjorded coasts.
Climate pattern
ClimateThe climate is cool maritime to subpolar and is moderated by the North Atlantic, with strong local effects from elevation, exposure and glaciers.
Environmental setting
EnvironmentGlaciers and frequent precipitation feed many short, fast rivers, lakes and broad glacial outwash systems that carry sediment from the interior toward the coast.
Understand the landscape
What Iceland's geographic profile is telling you
Fire, ice and ocean exposure interact closely in Iceland: volcanic highlands and glaciers shape drainage, while a maritime climate moderates temperatures around the coast.
Detailed Geography & Environment Data
| Measure | Reference | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Physical setting | Island country | Geographic classification |
| Relief anchor | Volcanic highlands, glaciers and fjorded coasts | Regional physical feature |
| Climate | The climate is cool maritime to subpolar and is moderated by the North Atlantic, with strong local effects from elevation, exposure and glaciers. | |
| Terrain | Iceland is a volcanic island of highlands, active volcanic systems and extensive glaciers, cut by valleys and deeply indented by fjords along many coastal sectors. | |
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of terrain does Iceland have?
At country scale, the main terrain pattern is: iceland is a volcanic island of highlands, active volcanic systems and extensive glaciers, cut by valleys and deeply indented by fjords along many coastal sectors.
What is Iceland's climate like?
The climate is cool maritime to subpolar and is moderated by the North Atlantic, with strong local effects from elevation, exposure and glaciers.
What physical feature helps explain the landscape?
A useful way to read the landscape is through the relationship between relief and drainage. Glaciers and frequent precipitation feed many short, fast rivers, lakes and broad glacial outwash systems that carry sediment from the interior toward the coast.
Sources & methodology
This physical-geography profile uses Iceland Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC to support the terrain, climate, drainage and regional relief descriptions shown on this page. The summary focuses on broad, stable physical features.
View sources used for this page
Iceland Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC
Country-authored institutional source used for the physical-geography claims on this page.