Iceland
Located on the Middle Atlantic Rift where the North American Plate is diverging from the European plate, active vulcanism reigns supreme. Moreover, with the Icelandic low anchored overhead, stormy conditions and significant wind desiccation occur making it difficult for trees to survive. Iceland does posses a few glaciers, but is mostly devoid of permanent ice.
Black Hills: Wharf Mine, Lead S.D.
Operating since the early 1980's, the Wharf is the only gold mine still producing in South Dakota. Other states producing gold are: Nevada, Alaska and California. the Wharf is an open pit operation utilizing heap-leaching and averages about 70,000 ounces of gold/yr and another 95,00 ounces of silver
