The Blue Lagoon, the Northern Lights, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a glacier hike, stunning waterfalls and a lava show– these are some of the amazing geographical highlights of the Robert Carre Trust five-day adventure to Iceland experienced by forty-one lucky A-Level Geography students during February half-term.

After an early start and a flight from Manchester, we arrived at Keflavik International Airport to start our adventure. The first evening was spent at the Blue Lagoon, which is a bathing pool with an average temperature of 30–40°c where silica-rich geothermal seawater is drawn from a 2000m borehole. We were lucky to visit in the evening where we could gaze up at the stars wearing silica face packs. We also travelled through the ghost town settlement of Grindavik. This once thriving fishing village of over 3800 residents was abandoned last year due to molten lava spewing through two fissures created by the Svartsengi volcanic system.

Day 2 was the most physically challenging and a highlight for many exploring the frozen tongue of the Solheimajokull glacier. Students were equipped with crampons and ice axes and with informative guides they brazed the freezing winds and headed onto the ice admiring the ice sculptures and crevasses. The afternoon provided a unique opportunity to warm up indoors and experience flowing lava at the indoor Icelandic lava show. To conclude this amazing day of Geography we were lucky enough to see the Northern Lights in the skies over our remote rural hotel; a fantastic photo opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience

The Hellisheidi geothermal power station which is world’s sixth largest power station was our next stop on day 3. Drawing on steam and hot water reserves, the plant’s 30 boreholes power six high pressure turbines to provide renewable energy. We also visited the Carbfix Facility which is pioneering the process of carbon capture and storage to mitigate climate change. Onwards to the Thingvellir National Park, the site of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American plates are slowly pulling apart. Then more physical geography to enjoy and photo opportunities at the Geysir, a sprouting hot spring that gives its name to all of the world’s geysers and the Gullfoss waterfall and gorge.

Our final full day offered visits to the Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls. We were able to walk behind the Seljalandsfoss 60m deep waterfall plume being sure to wear the waterproofs to avoid getting drenched from the spray. We then visited LAVA (Iceland Volcanic and Earthquake Centre) which developed our knowledge of the art and science of Iceland’s unique geology. Finally, the visit to the Hveragerdi Geothermal Centre provided opportunity for us to taste eggs and rye bread baked overnight in hot steam.

The trip was a memory-making lifetime experience for all of the A-Level Geographers.

Mrs S Livingstone

Subject Leader - Geography