GSA'S 2004 GEOVENTURES TRIP TO ICELAND

In its continuing effort to promote student interest in international geology, GSA’s 2004 student trip to Iceland followed approximately the same path as the 2002 trip. Eleven students and one leader, representing nine colleges and universities, one in the United Kingdom, met in Reykjavík in mid-July for a two-week camping excursion around Iceland’s Ring Road. An Icelandic geologist accompanied the group for several days, introducing them to several mineral localities in addition to describing recent volcanic and glacial history.

The group traveled in a small, chartered bus towing a kitchen trailer. A large communal dining tent, equipped with tables and chairs, served as a focal point for evening activities. Students used their own camping equipment and rotated shared cooking duties. Modern campsites provided relative luxury in spite of the frequent cloud cover and drizzle.

Field activities and discussions focused primarily on extensional tectonics, volcanism, and glaciers. Additional themes such as stream and coastal erosion, zeolite formation, magma mixing, geothermal and periglacial phenomena, mass movement, and near-surface hydrology were also discussed. More than 50 km of optional hikes were provided. These included hikes through volcanic centers at Krafla and Askja calderas, the Skutustađir rootless craters, Hverfell tuff cone, and Landmannalaugar. Rifting was investigated at Þingvellir, Lakagigar, Eldgjá, Namafjäll Hverir, and Krafla. Most people toured the Landmannalaugar area from the backs of Icelandic ponies. Glacial experiences included the Jökulsárlón iceberg lagoon and a hike along a valley glacier descending from the Vatnajökull ice cap in Skaftafell National Park. Geothermal sites included Hveravellir, Namafjäll Hverir, Krafla, Askja Viti, and Landmannalaugar. Numerous waterfalls and lava flows were also examined to break up the drive between campsites.

The trip culminated in Reykjavík with an afternoon of shopping and a good-bye dinner. After a visit to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa the following morning, the group went to the airport and said farewell as people boarded their respective flights.