Geography Trips to Iceland

Volcanic and Geothermal Landscapes

This study day discusses Iceland’s location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and helps pupils to understand the island’s geothermal landscapes and landforms. Pupils experience areas of low and high temperature geothermal fields (including solfataras, hot springs, bubbling mud pools and shooting geysers) and have the option to visit a geothermally heated greenhouse farm / horticultural college. This study day culminates in visiting the splendid Gullfoss Waterfall. As with every day, this day can conclude with a swim in an outdoor heated pool with hot pots.

Waterfalls and Waves

Iceland’s southern Atlantic coast experiences powerful storms that have developed dramatic coastal geomorphology. At Dyrhólaey, cliff development and retreat can be studied along with arch and stack development. Further east at Reynisdrangar, beach observations can be carried out on the black basalt beach alongside classic examples of basalt columns. En route is Skógafoss, a popular location for tourists and ideal for tourism studies with Skógafoss Waterfall being well worth a visit.

Heimaey: Living with Natural Hazards

A short ferry crossing takes you to the island of Heimaey, which lies 10km offshore and is home to over 4,000 Icelanders. In 1973 a major fissure eruption occurred unexpectedly and a new volcano, Eldfell, was formed. During this unforgettable daytrip your pupils will appreciate how Heimaey’s inhabitants have adapted and benefited from the island’s hazardous environment. (Additional ferry cost applies).

Fluvial & Glacial Landscapes: Climate Change

The Markarfljót River is one of Iceland’s most beautiful and picturesque destinations. The effects of moving water and ice in the formation and development of landscapes are clearly illustrated in this stunning location. Your pupils first view the Mýrdalsjökull and Eyjafjallajökull icecaps from a distance and then visit the Gigjökull glacier. A moraine-dammed lagoon is seen (with icebergs) and dirt cones cover the glacier’s snout. Alternatively, visit the snout of Sólheimajökull glacier that shows dramatic evidence of recent climatic change through a wealth of erosional and depositional glacial landforms.

Landscapes of a Major Plate Boundary

Visit the “Bridge Between Two Continents” on the Reykjanes Peninsula where the separating plates and fissure cracks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can be very clearly appreciated. This is followed by a visit to Krýsuvík, where there are fumaroles and mud puddles for closer examination.

Delving Deeper

This offers a few extra discussion topics for senior students at A Level, Higher and Advanced Higher Level. Three Icelandic Issues have been identified at the “physical/human interface” and they will allow participants to think about contemporary challenges faced by Icelanders – Living in a Tectonic Environment; Living in a Glacial Environment and Development in a Wilderness Area.

It’s A Disaster – Katla-Clysmic

This is an example of Living with Environmental Hazards which, in this case, is the potential jökullhlaup (glacier burst) which could result from the volcano Katla that sits beneath the Mýrdalsjökull icecap. Pupils can learn about hazard planning for such natural events through a stimulating role play exercise.

Skaftafell National Park: Glacial Landscapes (additional coach hire costs apply)

This study day takes your group to Vatnajökull, Iceland’s largest icecap and also the National Park of Skaftafell. After a talk from a National Park Ranger about the area’s landscapes and the issues of visitor pressures, a visit to the National Park Exhibition Hall is extremely worthwhile. Following this, a variety of gentle walks are possible such as to the snout of Skaftafellsjökull glacier, to Svartifoss Waterfall or to the brooding Svínafellsjökull glacier with its ice polished bedrock and colossal erratic blocks.

Landmannalaugar: Diverging plate boundary landscapes and the management of wilderness: (for summer tours only)

Travelling first around Hekla, Iceland’s most active volcano, pumice rock is encountered. Continuing into true wilderness, there are stops at Ljótipollur (volcanic crater), the Námshraun overlook (fissures and lavas) and at Stútur explosion crater. At Landmannalaugar an easy walk around the Laugahraun obsidian lava flow (with active fumeroles) and bathing in the geo-thermally heated stream are popular activities.

Volcanic, Fluvial and Glacial Landscapes (for groups based in Reykjavík only):

Travelling north of Reykjavík allows a wide variety of volcanic and glacial landscapes to be encountered. Many topics and issues can be tackled too e.g. the whaling station in Hvalfjörður (“whale fjord”) and the aluminium smelter on the fjord’s shore. A visit to the Deildartunga Hot Springs, the largest in Iceland, illustrates how the springs hot water is utilised in local communities as an essential part of everyday life. Hraunfoss, a beautiful waterfall emerging from layers of horizontally-bedded lavas, is a popular site and provides the opportunity to discuss people management in this delicate environment. Continuing towards the edge of the Langjökull icecap (June/July/August only), the road becomes a “highland road”. The icecap is presently shrinking and the recently dropped moraines dramatically illustrate climatic change.

The Blue Lagoon

This amazing lagoon is a unique, mineral-rich lake, formed from geothermal seawater. This is one of our most popular options with teachers and students alike.

Geysir Centre

In this large exhibition and display area, much can be learned about the nature of the land in Iceland. Wall displays, several video screens and even a vibrating floor plate simulating a 5.1 Richter scale earthquake, all serve to show us how geographically unique Iceland really is.

Sólheimar Sustainable Community

The Sesselja House is an environmental centre within Sólheimar which received the Environmental Prize of the Iceland Tourist Council in 2006. A guided visit here first provides information on types of renewable energy before strolling around the community to see the theory of sustainability in practice (e.g. energy from wind, stream HEP, solar, and geothermal sources).

Lava Walk (for groups based in Reykjavík only)

This guided walk will take you over a small area of the extensive lava plains located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This area provides students an opportunity to closely observe volcanic rock and its many intriguing features such as caves, tubes, cracks and fissures. The colours of the lava rock are fascinating, varying due to different metal oxides. Covering the lava fields are rich, thick depths of moss, which change colour quite dramatically depending on their moisture content. Your guide will discuss the nature of the landscape and its flora and fauna through a geographical and historic presentation on the region.

Other Possible Excursions

• Whale watching (seasonal excursion)
• Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon Boat Trip
• The Puffin Express Boat Trip
• Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant
• Hydro-Electric Power Plant
• Saltfish Museum
• The Red Rock Volcano Show (Reykjavík-based groups only)

Day 1

• AM - Bathe in the Blue Lagoon; visit solfatara and mud puddles of Krýsuvík; drive to and settle into accommodation centre; evening meal.

Day 2

• FULL DAY – Greenhouse cultivation visit; on to Faxifoss waterfall; on to the Geysir Hot Springs geothermal area (Geysir Centre optional); to Gullfoss waterfall; swim in a local heated pool and hot pots; to accommodation centre.

Day 3

• FULL DAY – Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant visit; to Þingvellir National Park and World Heritage Site; either an Hydro-Electric Power Plant visit or a visit to the Sólheimar Sustainable Community; swim in a local heated pool and hot pots; to accommodation centre.

Day 4

• FULL DAY – to Stóra Dímon volcano; to the Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls; to the snout of Solheimajökull glacier; to the south coast for beaches/headlands and columnar basalt; swim in a local heated pool and hot pots; to accommodation centre.

Day 5

• Some time for sightseeing in Reykjavík (depending on flight times); return to the UK.

Day 1

• AM - Bathe in the Blue Lagoon; visit solfatara and mud puddles of Krýsuvík; drive to and settle into accommodation centre; evening meal.

Day 2

• FULL DAY – Greenhouse cultivation visit; on to Faxifoss waterfall; on to the Geysir Hot Springs geothermal area (Geysir Centre optional); to Gullfoss waterfall; swim in a local heated pool and hot pots; to accommodation centre.

Day 3

• FULL DAY – Visit Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant; to Þingvellir National Park and World Heritage Site; either an Hydro-Electric Power Plant visit or a visit to the Sólheimar Sustainable Community; swim in a local heated pool and hot pots; to accommodation centre.

Day 4

• FULL DAY – Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls; to the snout of Solheimajökull glacier; return to Reykjavík

Day 5

• AM - Free time for sightseeing in Reykjavík (depending on flight times); return to the UK.