OUTLINE FOR AN EXPERIENTIAL GEOLOGICAL FIELD TRIP TO ICELAND

Organizing a geological field trip to Iceland from a 700-student college with a 1-person Geology program requires flexibility to make the trip. Brevard College only has a Geology minor. Most students are outdoor-orientated; the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning. Students bear the brunt of the cost as financial support is limited.

Students in good standing are eligible to participate in the 2-credit experiential course. After an exclusive deadline, the program opens to all. Participants from beyond the college community pay tuition and an additional program fee.

Trip itineraries are developed by the faculty leader and an Icelandic travel agent arranges logistics. Groups generally camp several nights at one location for but single-night stays occur during transfer between the primary areas. Transportation is by chartered bus; SUV’s were used one year.

Most meals are prepared in camp but funds are reserved for restaurant dining. A large dining tent is rented in Reykjavík with kitchen equipment, tables, and chairs. Participants rotate cooking duties, directed by a camp manager who is charged with shopping and is compensated by the College.

Field experiences focus on numerous renowned localities, many of which require 1-5 km hikes. Emphases are on extensional tectonics, volcanism, and glacial geomorphology. Noted coastal and fluvial geomorphology highlights, and geothermal areas, are visited. Some cultural and historical stops and a visit to a geothermal power plant are included. The significance of each site is discussed and recorded by students in their field notebooks.

The group camps every night. All campgrounds provide hot water and most are grassy. Campsites are located central to daily excursions. Frequently visited areas are Reykjavík (3 nights), Mývatn (4-5), Kirkjúbæjarklaustar (4-5), and Landmannalaugar (2-3). Regions visited for single nights can include Snaefellesnes (1-2 nights), West Fjords (1-5), Askja (1-2), East Fjords (1-3), and Heimaey/Vestmannaeyjar (1-2). With 4WD vehicles, it is possible to cross the semiarid Sprengisandur of central Iceland.

About 85% of the students take more geology upon return to campus, while 25% participate on another geology trip. Everyone wants to return to Iceland someday.