It’s interesting that there are several different definitions for where “The Arctic” begins. Let’s put Iceland to the test, and you can decide if I’m actually in the Arctic…..or not….

    Definition number 1: The Arctic is defined as the area between the latitudes of 66°33′46.1″ North and 90°N where there can be 24 hours when the sun stays below, or above the horizon. Nice and simple. However, just to make this one a little bit confusing, most people round the latitude to 66.5°N . Remember, each degree of latitude or longitude can be broken into 60 smaller distance increments called minutes, and each minute of distance can be broken into 60 smaller increments called seconds. 30 minutes is equal to 0.5 degrees.

    Is Iceland in the Arctic based on Arctic Definition number 1? Look at the Earth Science Reference Table-Ocean Currents diagram below.

    NY Regents Earth Science Reference Tables Ocean Currents.
    NY Regents Earth Science Reference Tables Ocean Currents. Screen Shot by Lisa Seff. February 13, 2016.

    Arctic Definition number 2: The Arctic is defined as the area north of the tree line where the flora consists of primarily lichens and shrubs.

    Arctic Definition number 3: The Arctic is defined as the area in the far north whose July temperatures do not go above 10 degree’s Celsius.

    Is Iceland in the Arctic based on Arctic Definitions number 2 and 3? The diagram below overlays lines for each of the three definitions we've discussed.

    https://nsidc.org/sites/nsidc.org/files/images//arctic_map.gif
    The Arctic as defined by latitude, temperature and tree line. National Snow and Ice Data Center Image. February 14, 2016.

    Ok, I'm going to add one more definition just to confuse the situation even more. The United States Congress has decreed that all of the Bering Sea, down to approximately 53 degrees North, is within the Arctic, for budgeting and planning purposes!

    If you need more information to help you decide if Iceland is in the Arctic or not, I've included two links below, that go into the Arctic definitions in more detail.

    https://nsidc.org/sites/nsidc.org/files/images//arctic_map.gif
    http://wowair.us/magazine/blog/is-iceland-in-the-arctic-or-not/

    Now that you've analyzed the evidence, what do you think? Is Iceland in the Arctic? Let me know and make sure to explain the reasoning behind your decision!

    Author
    Date
    Weather Summary
    Partly cloudy and cold.
    Temperature
    -2.5 °C
    Wind Speed
    5.1 km/hour
    Wind Chill
    -4 °C

    Comments

    Madison Lappin

    I do not think that Iceland is in the Arctic because Iceland is not a part of the Arctic Circle. Iceland is at a latitude of 66°33'46.1" N,, while the Arctic Circle starts at 65°N.

    Andy Ngo

    Looking at all the Arctic definitions, it definitely makes the questions harder to answer... But I think that Iceland is not in the Arctic. Iceland's latitude is 65 degrees N, which is slightly below the Arctic's latitudes. Also, the WowAir article says that Iceland is below the tree line where trees are capable of growing vertically. But to be in the Arctic the area has to be north of the tree line. This was more evidence than proving that Iceland is in the Arctic.

    Logan Gurney

    No, Iceland is not completely considered part of the Arctic. For example, Iceland is south of the arctic circle (definition 1) which is about 66 degrees north. However, the Arctic tree line cuts through half of Iceland.

    Tiffany

    Iceland is in the Arctic because the map shows that it's past the 10 degrees line in July

    Tiffany

    Iceland is in the Arctic because the map shows that it's past the 10 degrees line in July

    Brenda

    I think that Iceland is not in the Arctic because the Arctics latitude is 66°33′46.1″ N and Icelands latitude is 65 degrees North

    Kevin

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic Circle, because in the diagram Iceland is inside the red line which is the Artic Circle

    Guest

    yes island is in the artic circle.

    aryanna

    yes is;and is in the arttic cicle.On the map shows its past the 10 degree line

    Haleigh Bye

    Yes, Iceland is in the Arctic Circle because on the map the red line represents the Arctic Circle and Iceland is in it.

    Jake Krahe

    Yes it is in the Artic circle but where it passes through the small offshore island of Grímsey

    Nataly

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? No because in the map ice land is away from the Arctic circle.

    Andy

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle. because in the diagram Iceland is inside of the red line

    Andy

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the diagram iceland is inside the red line which represents the artic circle.

    Theo

    Ice Land is not in the Arctic circle because on a diagram of the Arctic circle that i found, Ice Land appeared away from the Arctic circle.

    Tavian 5th Per…

    Yes and No, The small spot of Iceland is in the arctic, A small part of an off-shore Island of Grimsey, Besides that small Island portion, No Iceland is not in the arctic.

    john

    yes Iceland is in the arctic because it is in the Arctic circle 3/4 of the land is in the Arctic circle

    Corrina

    No Iceland is not in the Arctic. One way I know this is because on the diagram Iceland is not in the Arctic Circle and it is just below the tree line. Yes it is cold but not Arctic weather or location.

    Marifer

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? No, because on the map Iceland is almost near the Artic circle.

    Daniel Piver

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic because not every were in the world is below 10 degrees. You said in class that it was about 10 degrees all year.

    sophia

    no because it is not in the arctic circle.

    camila

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the diagram Iceland is inside the red line which represents the arctic circle.

    camila

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the diagram Iceland is inside the red line which represents the arctic circle.

    camila

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the diagram Iceland is inside the red line which represents the arctic circle.

    Christina Terry

    Yes, Iceland is in the Arctic because it said it was in the first journal.

    Christian

    Yes Iceland is located in the arctic Circle. It's freezing and its inside the red line just like you told us

    Christian

    Yes Iceland is located in the arctic Circle. It's freezing and its inside the red line just like you told us

    Christian

    Yes Iceland is located in the arctic Circle. It's freezing and its inside the red line just like you told us

    Christian

    Yes Iceland is located in the arctic Circle. It's freezing and its inside the red line just like you told us

    Christian

    Yes Iceland is located in the arctic Circle. It's freezing and its inside the red line just like you told us

    Nichole

    No I do not think that Iceland is in the Arctic. I think this because part of Iceland has has trees and part of it doesn't.

    Maria

    Is Iceland part of the Artic. no it is not because it is not part of the arctic circle.

    Natalie

    yes Iceland is in the arctic circle, it said it was in the first journal.

    Samantha

    Is Iceland in the Arctic?Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the picture Iceland is inside the red line which represents the Arctic circle.

    Lisa Seff

    Hi Bailey! Confusing isn't it! Nice job using evidence to support your response.(:
    Mrs. Seff

    Jenny

    No, because Iceland is located in Europe. When I went on Google Maps I saw Iceland it was small. And Iceland was not near the Arctic.

    Jenny

    No, because Iceland is located in Europe. When I went on Google Maps I saw Iceland it was small. And Iceland was not near the Arctic.

    Derek

    Is Iceland in the arctic?No, because Iceland is not in the Treeline.

    joseph

    No because iceland is not nere the arctic and it is not as cold

    Autumn

    Yes, Iceland is in the Artic because the map shows that it's past the 10 degrees line.

    Jhoselin

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic Circle because in the map it shows that part of Iceland has been outlined as 10 degrees Celsius during July

    Tifany

    Iceland is in the Arctic circle because th red line on the diagram above shows that anyplace in the red line will never get warmer than 10 degrees. But in the diagram the red line cuts Iceland in half so I think half of Iceland is and isn't in the arctic circle.

    Natalia

    No Iceland is not in the Arctic. The land within the in the Arctic circle is divided. Yes it is cold but not the weather or location.

    Grace

    Is Iceland in the Arctic? Yes, Iceland is in the Arctic Circle because although half of this country is split by the 10 degrees celsius line, it still makes the cut-off. Also, I am 99.99 percent sure that a country can not be in two regions at once and if you look close enough on the map, you can see that the majority of Iceland is in fact in the Arctic Circle. So therefore, I think Iceland is in the Arctic Circle.

    Jennifer

    No Iceland is not in the Artic. I think it is not in the Artic because in the maps it shows that Iceland is not inthe Artic circle. Iceland is near the UK so that means that Iceland is not in the Artic.

    Brian Usmal

    Yes Iceland is in the Arctic circle in the diagram iceland is inside the red line which represents the artic circle.