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Trip Itinerary

Note: to see an interactive map of the many of the locations listed, click here or here
Note: to see a basic map with some of the locations, click here or here.
Note: to see a geologic map, click here.

Day 1:
Our trip began at the main airport in Iceland, located in Keflavik (southwest corner). We then drove to southwest tip of Iceland, where we saw the mid-Atlantic ridge run through the continent, pulling apart North America and Europe.

We then relaxed in the Blue Lagoon (left), an international resort fed by Iceland's volcanic activity.

We spent our first night in Reykjavik, the capitol city of Iceland, housing roughly half of its population. The highlights of the city include an outdoor photographic art display and a raised relief map of the entire country. Some of the students were even photographed in the setting sun in front of a statue (right) by National Geographic Traveler, though the photographs were never used.

Day 2:
Day 2 began by driving east to Lake Thingvallavatn, where Iceland's old parliament building was standing. We saw evidence of rifting occurring throughout the region.

Day 3:
We continued our journey to Geyser (left), the country's most famous geyser. It explodes roughly every 6 minutes.

The group drove to Gullfoss (the Golden Waterfall, right). Here again, rifting was occurring, and columnar basalts lined the rift valley.

After visiting Seljalandsfoss (left), the group got its first up-close look at a glacier (Gigjokull, right).

To get to our camp site for the night (Thorsmork), we had to cross several streams in our truck. This brought home the fact that Iceland has 1 main highway - leave it at your own risk!

Day 4:
Day 4 began with a walk through Steinholtsgja Canyon that displayed jointing along it walls due to rifting. Looking from inside the canyon out to the west provided a spectacular view (right).

Next we visited the glacier Solheimajokull, where we were able to observe the terminus of the glacier in detail

Then it was off to visit the beach near Reynin, an interesting experience because the beach is composed of black sand grains - a new experience for those of used to the quartz sands of Florida. We were also able to climb around on magnificent examples of columnar basalts that lined the beach (left). One of the most photographed scenes of Iceland was also viewable from this location (right). This was also the first time we were able to observe puffins.

The day concluded in Vik, the wettest spot of Iceland, where it rains nearly every day (though thankfully, it only drizzled as we started to leave!).

Day 6:
After viewing another glacier (Kotlujokull), we were finally able to get down to business, as most of the day was devoted to sampling soils for Andy and Tammy's project. The first of their soil samples was from the lava flow of 1783 (left). The moss in the area was almost a foot thick!!! They then sampled from the older flow of 934. While Tammy and Andy were busy digging, others were able to observe the multiple cinder cones in the area.
Camp was pitched in Skaftafell, which would be our home for 2 nights. The landscape was beautiful, with 2 glaciers and the highest peak in Iceland visible from our tents (right).

Day 7:
All of day 7 was devoted to Joe and Philip's project, which involved sampling an outlet glacier (Breidamerkurjokull) of Vatnajokull (Europe's largest glacier). The plan was to drill ice cores and study the sediment trapped within (left). However, the weather was so nice, the ice was melting and the coring was a disaster. The project did encourage teamwork, as we spent a couple hours building a rock bridge of the outlet streams in front of the glacier so that we could move equipment. Nevertheless, the opportunity to walk on a glacier was exhilarating.

After our attempt at drilling, we visited one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of the country, Jokulsarlon (glacier lagoon). The sun reflected off the icebergs to display brilliant colors, while seals swam in the water.

Day 8:
Before setting out for the day, we decided to hike up one of the trails in Skaftafell, where we saw a waterfall crashing around more columnar basalts ((left).

After breaking camp, we visited an outwash plain to examine a braided stream system where Dr. Tedesco explained how the system worked.

We spent the night at Eldgja, where we were able to take a hike down into a rift valley and observe headward erosion of the valley (right).

Day 9:
Day 9 was an igneous sort of day - we were able to collect obsidian samples just outside of Landmannalaugar. Once inside Landmannalaugar, Nicole, Kenny, and Christy were able to start collecting samples of rhyolite flows for their research project. Once camp was set up, part of the group went on a hike to see the mud pits in the area. Sulfur was precipitating around the pits. After briefly losing the path, they were able to return to the camp safely. The evening ended with a relaxing dip in one of the hot springs flowing in the area.

Day 10:
As we exited Landmannalaugar, we spotted a lake in a caldera and soon were busy attempting to throw stones in the lake from the edge of the caldera (we were unsuccessful).

We then drove to the top of Hekla (a fairly active volcano) and were provided with a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. We spent the night at Leiubakki and awoke to one of the only periods of rain on the whole trip.

Day 11:
Day 11 began with a stop at a popular tourists store before journeying on to a lava tube. We were able to hike down into the tube and examine various features. While driving to the dock to pick up a ferry to Heimaey, we were able to view and discuss the formation of a major Iceland glacial feature, the Buddi Moraine.

We then hopped onto the ferry and were transported to the island of Heimaey, famous for attempting to stop a lava flow with water from their hoses.

Day 12:
In the morning, we hiked to the top of the active volcano on Heimaey The volcano erupted in 1973, threatening to destroy the islands town and harbor. The villagers are reported to have used hoses to pump water on the advancing lava to save their village. At the top of the volcano, the ground is still heated. One must only dig down 1 meter to reach 500 degrees Celsius. Samples of sulfur were collected by many of the students.

We caught a ferry back to Iceland and spent the night in Reykjavik.

Day 13:
After spending the morning shopping, we drove to the airport and flew into Baltimore, where spent the night.

Day 14:
Flight back to Indianapolis - it was a great trip.