Academic: Year 9 Geography Trip to Iceland, 2012

Updated: Wed 23 Jan 2013  

Having learnt about tectonic activity in lessons last term, the Geography Department organised a six-day trip to Iceland for Year 9 pupils, to enhance our knowledge and boost our enthusiasm for such an interesting and exciting aspect of Geography.
 

Iceland is an incredible place, and the small pockets of nature’s power and mystery is what makes ‘The Land of Fire and Ice’ so magical and intriguing. The Geography Department structured an itinerary packed with a great number of captivating destinations, including a dip in the prestigious ‘Blue Lagoon’ – a geothermally-heated spa-pool, rich in beneficial natural minerals. Other sights included the incredible 60-metre Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls, beautiful outlet glaciers from Vatnajökull, fascinating columnar basalt rock formations, and mist-shrouded canyons.
 

We were very lucky to have our own tour guide, who enthusiastically told many fascinating stories about the rich cultural history and jaw-dropping beauty of the island. We were particularly amused by the fact that most Icelanders hold a firm belief in mischievous trolls and elves!
 

Our favourite excursions included visiting the breath-taking Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Enormous icebergs floated on the glassy, aquamarine-blue surface of the water, creating a memorable spectacle. On one of the days, we travelled off-road in an 8-wheel-drive ‘Ice Explorer’ truck, over mounds of ash and through fast-flowing rivers. We also caught a glimpse of the god-like silhouette of Eyjafjallajökull, the volcano infamous for its disruptive ash clouds throughout Europe in 2010. We also stood in awe, watching explosions of boiling hot water erupting 20 metres into the sky from Strokkur – one of Iceland’s most famous geysers.
 

This was a fantastic week, and we are very grateful to Miss Mynott, Miss Mackay and Mr and Mrs Stanley, for all their knowledge and expertise, and for organising an exciting week in such a unique and fascinating corner of the world.

By Alex Buchanan, U3