ICELAND 2004: GSA'S NEXT STUDENT-ORIENTED GEOVENTURES FIELD TRIP

The Geological Society of America inaugurated its student-oriented Geoventures trips in 2002 with a two-week camping excursion to the geological wonders of Iceland in order to stimulate student interest in international geology. Twenty-six students from twenty-one colleges and universities across the United States participated. The 2004 student-oriented trip will return to Iceland, following a route similar to the 2002 trip.

A faculty leader and camp manager will supervise daily activities. Students provide their own camping equipment. All campsites supply hot springs or showers. A large dining tent, chairs, tables, and cooking equipment are included. Participants share all cooking responsibilities on a rotating schedule. Transportation between campsites will be by chartered bus.

Although the major geological themes will be tectonics, volcanism, and glaciers, visits will be made to a variety of geomorphologic sites exhibiting stream and coastal erosion, geothermal and periglacial phenomena, mass movement, and near-surface hydrology. Students are encouraged to undertake the more than 80 km of optional hikes through the field sites.

The areas to be visited will include hikes through volcanic centers at Krafla and Askja calderas, the Skútustathagígar pseudocraters, Dimmuborgir, the Hverfjall and Hrossaborg tuff cones, and Landmannalauger. Rifting will be investigated at Thingvellir, Lakigígar, Myvatn, Eldgjà, Namafjäll Hverir, and Krafla. Spectacular hiking along the Skaftafellsjökull valley glacier descending from the Vatnajökull ice cap takes place in Skaftafell National Park. A short boat ride across a lagoon teeming with icebergs takes place at Jökulsárlón. Geothermal sites include Geysir/Strokkur , Hveravellir, Namafjäll Hverir, Krafla, Askja Viti, Landmannalauger, and the Blue Lagoon. One day will be spent investigating the fjords and sea cliffs of East Iceland. Numerous waterfalls and lava flows will be examined during spontaneous hikes at rest stops along the drives between campsites.

Iceland is a place every geologist should visit. Seeing it as a student will stimulate further interest in international geology.