Iceland: Land of Fire and IceIceland: Land of Fire and Ice

1111thth – 16 – 16thth July 2014 July 2014

The only place where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level.

Staffing

• Mr Paul Shimmin (Leader) • Mr Keith Winstanley (Deputy Leader)• Mrs Danielle Winstanley

Flights

Fri. 11th July: IOM out: 07.05 arr: 07.55 ManchesterFri. 11th July: Manchester out: 13.25 arr: 15.00 Keflavik

Weds. 16th July: Keflavik out: 08.00 arr: 11.35 ManchesterWeds. 16th July: Manchester out: 16.55 arr: 17.40 IOM

General Profile of Iceland• Area: 103,000 sq km• Coastline: 4,970 km• Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with

mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords

• Land use: – arable land: 0.07%– other: 99.93% (2011)

• Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

Is there a National Health Service?

• Yes. After 6 months..

• IOM is not in EEA – no EHIC so we will have DEC insurance

Demographics• Population: 306,694 (July 2009 est.)• Age Structure: 0-14 years: 20.7% • Population growth rate: 0.741% (2009 est.)• Urban population: 92% (2008)• Infant mortality rate: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live

births• Life expectancy at birth: 80.67 years• Adult literacy: 99%

Living Costs (2012)

Eating outMeal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, three-course, no drinks

£51.70SupermarketChicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) £10.55 Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) £10.001 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) £100.56Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data ADSL)£35.45

Where can the information we will collect and the experiences we have be put to use?

• Global climate change• Evidence for climatic change over the last 20 000 years.• Global warming – possible causes. Possible effects: on a

global scale. • Responses to global warming: International, national and

local.

Where can the information we will collect and the experiences we have be put to use?

Plate movement1.Earth structure, plate tectonics theory - sea-floor spreading.2.Evidence for Continental Drift3.Constructive plate margins.Vulcanicity1.Forms of intrusive activity – dykes, sills, batholiths.2.Forms of extrusive activity – geysers, hot springs and boiling mud.3.Major forms of extrusive activity – types of volcanoes and lava4.Case studies of recent (inside the last 30 years) volcanic events 5.The nature of the volcanic hazard6.The impact of the event7.Management of the hazard and responses to the event.

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Divergent tectonic plate boundary)

Iceland’s Eruptions

• The island lies just south of the Arctic Circle on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates are pulling apart. Magma from deep inside Earth rushes upward, filling the gaps and fueling Iceland's volcanic eruptions, which occur regularly.

• Eyjafjallajökull volcano on March 27, 2010.

The eruption started on March 21, hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes, due to fears of flooding.

From a different angle, Eyjafjallajökull's "lavafall" on March 26, 2010.

Krafla Volcano - Iceland

An incandescent basaltic lava flow winds its way from a vent at Krafla volcano in 1984. The flow originated from an 8.5-km-long fissure which was produced by rifting along the mostly submarine Mid-Atlantic Ridge where it rises above sea level.

Cooling lava flows

More cooling lava

The Gullfoss (Golden Falls) Waterfall

An eruption of the geyser ‘Strokkur’.

• Not far from Eyjafjallajokull glacier, the much larger Mýrdalsjökull glacier (check the map on the next slide)

A river with volcanic black sand banks meanders to the sea through fields near the southern coast

Reykjavik

Day 1 - Friday

• Arrive at Hotel approximately 17.30 via prite coach with guide

• Evening meal• Visit to local hot spring

Day 2 - Saturday

• Golden Circle tour (8 – 9) hours (private coach and guided)

Gullfoss waterfallGreat Geysirn (Geyser)Strokkur (Geyser)Pinvellir National park – mid atlantic ridge above

ground and site of world’s oldest parliamentIce-skating + food

Day 3

• South Shore guide tour• Greenhouses driven by geothermal power• Eyjafjallajokull• Waterfalls – Seljalandsfoss and Skargofloss• Local farm visit to hear and see first hand

evidence of eruption’s effects.• Bowling and pizza in evening

Day 4

• Lava tubes • Snorkelling mid – Atlantic Ridge• Reykyavik tour• Evening meal out• Swim in hot springs

Day 5

• Travel home