Icelandic Journal

Above is a photo of the eruption site post eruption

In about 3 months I will be taking a school trip to Iceland. I find this very exciting because of all of the seismic activity that has been happening there in the past few months along with the eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano that has just started. In this journal I will be following the current eruption and giving you as the readers updates on the state of the country and any new developments with the eruption. Also, I will include pictures of my observations while I am there and log them in this journal for you as readers to follow. 

A helicopter approaches the Fagradalsfjall eruption in December

There has been another frightening update out of Iceland in the past few weeks concerning the Fagradalsfjall Eruption that happened about a month ago. The volcano has erupted again after more tremors and seismic activity on the island. The startling difference between this one and the last one is that this eruption produced a river of rapidly flowing lava heading straight for Grindavik. Thankfully there was a multitude of warnings that allowed the Icelandic government to evacuate Grindavik such as the increased seismic activity I mentioned above. Residents of Grindavik are monitoring their homes to make sure no lava flows into their homes and destroys them but as I write this there has been no reported damage concerning the eruption. 

These new eruptions though have opened up scientists to some very interesting discoveries about Iceland's volcanic activity. According to an article written by Maya Wei-Hass  of the Smithsonian because of the six eruptions that have rocked the Reykjanes in the past 3 years, "scientists suspect the peninsula has entered a new period of volcanic activity-the beginning of possibly centuries of geologic unrest." Each eruption is providing scientists with a glimpse into where the lava is coming from, and how the volcanic system is evolving. This is helping scientists determine when the next eruption will be too as scientists predict another one is likely by the end of February or early March. Even though eruptions in Iceland are the norm this is the first period of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes since 800 C.E. when volcanic spurts also known as fires burst through the land. But in 2019 earthquakes started to rattle the land, beginning this new age of volcanic activity on the peninsula. According to the same article written by Maya Wei-Hass even though scientists now know plenty more about why and how Icelands volcanoes erupt, the origin of the Reykjanes cycle of volcanic activity every thousand or so years remains unknown. Each new eruption though is critical for scientists so that they can better understand future volcanic hazards.

Source: Wei-Haas, Maya. “Iceland’s Recent Volcanic Eruptions Are Unleashing Deep Secrets.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 21 Feb. 2024, www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientists-are-beginning-to-unravel-the-secrets-of-icelands-recent-eruptions-180983818/

Above is an image of the Svarstengi Reservoir where scientists are monitoring this magma inflation

Above is an image of Svarstengi where scientists have now said the magma has exceeded the amount it did when it caused the last eruption

Above is a map of the hazard zones for a potential eruption near Grindavik and in the Svarstengi area published by the Icelandic Met Office from March 12

Sources: Mbl.is. “Seismic Activity Has Increased.” Mbl.Is, mbl.is, 13 Mar. 2024, icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/03/13/seismic_activity_has_increased/

Above are some images I was able to capture while observing the Aurora Borealis in Akureyri, Iceland  

While I was in Iceland I was able to observe some incredible natural phenomenons, from geysers to hot springs each one was incredible. But none of them matched up to being able to experience the incredible natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis for the first time.  I was able to observe them for my first and only time while I was there in a town called Akureyri. The sighting of them while very rare in most parts of the world isn't as rare in a country such as Iceland. The town that I was able to observe them in is only 62 miles from the arctic circle which is the most common place for the lights to be seen. It was thankfully a clear night and the lights were out all night as each time I looked up into the sky there was a different pattern with each one having its own unique shape and shade of color.  

Despite the beauty of this event though, it is a rather violent one. The Northern Lights are created when energized particles from the sun collide with the Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph. The reason that these particles haven't had a direct effect on our planet is the massive magnetic field that acts as a shield for these particles. After these particles interact with this magnetic field they are redirected towards the poles. The way the aurora is created is through the solar wind that is created when the sun releases these charged particles. When this wind collides with the ionosphere the aurora is created. The causes of the colors of the lights vary though, the two dominant colors that you will see are red and green. The red hue is caused by nitrogen molecules, the green is caused by oxygen molecules. Arguably the most impressive part about this event is what it can tell us about our atmosphere. According to Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald during an an article written by Stephanie Waldek and Daisy Dobrijevic of, Space.com, the auroras tell us things such as, "the density, the composition, the flow speeds, and the strengths of electrical currents flowing into the upper atmosphere." Luckily for people that want to see the event for themselves according to scientists we are currently approaching solar maximum which is projected to peak as of now into late 2025. 

Source:Waldek, Stefanie, and Daisy Dobrijevic. “Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): What They Are & How to See Them.” Space.Com, Space, 13 Mar. 2022, www.space.com/15139-northern-lights-auroras-earth-facts-sdcmp.html .

Along with experiencing some incredible natural phenomenons while I was in Iceland, I also observed one of the most stunning things about the country while I was there, the landscape. Iceland has one of the most unique and incredible landscapes in the world, there is one obvious reason to this that people first point to, that would be the plate tectonics that have allowed the dramatic and striking mountain ranges to rise straight up from the sea. But harsh unpredictable weather patterns, glaciers, and powerful volcanic activity is another huge reason for the beautiful Icelandic landscape we observe today. 

While I was there the weather was somewhat mild for most of the trip, I did not experience any major precipitation events but there was some light rain and snow we saw. The wind was a totally different story though, I experienced some of the most intense and harsh winds I have ever experienced in my life for part of the trip. There was some points where the wind was strong enough where they almost blew our coach bus off the side of the road. This wind is instrumental in the erosion that contributes to constantly transforming coastlines and the dramatic fjords that Iceland is famous for. The heavy rainfall the country experiences also contributes to this erosion as the country as while I was in the country I learned that Iceland averages approximately 31.8 inches of precipitation per year. This heavy rainfall is another main contributor to Iceland's unpredictable and harsh climate. The reasons for the heavy rainfall and high winds is because of Icelands location and the air masses that interact with the land along with their positioning. The positioning I am referring to is the fact that it is at the intersection of these air masses including the polar air from the Arctic and the warmer moist air from the Atlantic. The main air mass that is responsible for driving up the intensity of these storms is called the Icelandic Low, this low pressure system is partly responsible for the global atmospheric circulation which influences weather patterns across the Atlantic. 

As I mentioned above in my introduction these heavy rains and winds aren't the only reason for Icelands incredible landscape, glaciers and frequent volcanic activity are the main physical contributors to the Icelandic landscape. The volcanic activity in the country has produced incredible features like colorful sulfur deposits and magical lava formation. The volcanic activity also has a massive effect on Icelands economy as it helps power it's geothermal energy along with having significant influences on the countries infrastructure and economy. This geothermal activity also is a main reason that you will find numerous hot springs and glaciers across Iceland. The glaciers melting have helped grow mosses, grasses, and willows, they have also helped scientists study plant successions and how plant communities rebuild over time. The glaciers also contribute heavily to the rising sea levels in the country and this also helps expose incredible glacial lagoons. A good example that I saw of the volcanoes and glaciers working together was in Vatnojokull National park where you will not only find massive glaciers but black sand desserts and crystal blue ice caves. Another example these two working together is the glacial outburst floods or as the Icelandic call them Jokulhlaups, that are caused by the interaction between the glaciers which can reshape large areas of land. 

Seeing the landscape constantly change driving through the country was one of the most beautiful things I was able to witness on my trip. These forces worked to make this happen creating different biomes and creating evidence to show these natural forces at work. From the dramatic mountain ranges showcasing insane straiations in the rocks from erosion to the rugged coastlines shaped by the heavy winds and rain. From the glaciers and the volcanoes crafting fjords, black sand desserts, and crystal ice caves. Along with the ecological development that comes with the glaciers and the geothermal energy that the volcanoes produce. When I left Iceland I appreciated nature more and cared about the earth more as being able to experience these landscapes was arguably one of the greatest moments of my life.