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| The extensive mid-Atlantic ridge is color-coded in this image for topography. Warm colors (yellow to red) are at higher elevations than the cooler colors (green to blue). The ridge crest increases in elevation toward Iceland, which is thought to be a hotspot underlain by a plume of hot mantle. The hot mantle thus powers abundant volcanism at Iceland and provides thermal bouyancy for the northern ridge segment. Courtesy of NOAA. |