guest speaker / guide / geologist / university tutor
Iceland: glacial volcanic wilderness
Iceland is a truly magical and unique country. Just over two hours flight from the UK it is Europe's closest wilderness. Iceland is the country that shouldn't exist: recently created from volcanic seafloor that has breached sea level, it is not part of any continent. Plate tectonics still tears it apart, giving rise to eruptions and volcanic landscapes that are hard to find anywhere else. Icelanders have learned to live with their geologically turbulent country, despite devestating natural disasters. Our explorations will include modern day Heimaey (the 'Pompeii of the North') to look at the impacts of the 1973 eruption that almost destroyed the island, and also look at the current challenges facing the town of Grindavik as volcanic activity threatens livelihoods and infrastructure.
With many years experience as a guide to Iceland, I use my geological expertise to provide insights to this
astonishing other-worldly wilderness. NASA trained astronauts here due to the
resemblance to the lunar landscape, and it's no surprise it has become so popular with film makers
looking to film against a natural backdrop that effortlessly
conjures up alien worlds.
Other talks
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