Monday 6 September 2010
Thank you to all Students!
Good evening, it's Miss Hollins here on Mr Pittam's blog! Just wanted to thank all students for making Iceland 2010 such a wonderful and memorable trip for all 4 staff: Mr Pittam, Mrs Glover, Mr Sutton and myself. Your outstanding behaviour on many occasions, and enthusiasm throughout the field trip (in spite of several early mornings!) for exploring the awe inspiring landscapes around us, makes you a credit to Idsall. I am extremely proud of you all - the future of Geography is very bright indeed!!
Additional Photos post-trip
Due the slow Internet connection in Iceland I did not have time to upload as many photos of the group as I would have wanted to. Therefore I post some additional photos here...
The Hotel
Hotel Hafnarfjordur was a fantastic base for our trip. The large rooms were secure, clean and well equipped. In groups of 3-5 the fact that they were all ensuite allowed everyone to be on time in the mornings both for breakfast and for our planned daily departure time. The pupils took full use of the wireless internet connection and laptop internet in the lobby to regularly update their facebook profiles and we were able to use two seating areas at the rear of the hotel in the evenings to support the pupils in completing their daily diary and geographic theory work.
The meals were superb, with both breakfast and supper being buffet style, many pupils went back for seconds or thirds although the three courses we had in the evenings meant that some did not feel the need to! The quality of the food was also excellent and helped to contribute to a great atmosphere amongst the group.
The meals were superb, with both breakfast and supper being buffet style, many pupils went back for seconds or thirds although the three courses we had in the evenings meant that some did not feel the need to! The quality of the food was also excellent and helped to contribute to a great atmosphere amongst the group.
CP
Seljalandsfoss (Part 2) – Friday 3rd September
The final stop on our Iceland adventure was the marvellous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, a magnificent 50 metre high torrent of water. We were able to walk straight up to the display (taking photos all the way!). Then, as if that didn’t leave us awe inspired, we moved up a rocky path towards the waterfall and actually walked BEHIND it! This made everyone very excited and Liam even filmed the encounter!
Following a group photo, we spent a few minutes bathing in the waterfalls beauty before climbing up another rocky pathway and returning to the coach for the journey back to Hotel Hafnarfjordur. We were even lucky enough to see a huge and complete rainbow as we left the car park. A spectacular ending to a spectacular trip!
Verity (Year 10)
Following a group photo, we spent a few minutes bathing in the waterfalls beauty before climbing up another rocky pathway and returning to the coach for the journey back to Hotel Hafnarfjordur. We were even lucky enough to see a huge and complete rainbow as we left the car park. A spectacular ending to a spectacular trip!
Verity (Year 10)
Seljalandsfoss (Part 1) – Friday 3rd September
Our last stop was Seljalandsfoss, a 50 metre high waterfall with a 30 metre deep plunge pool. We got the opportunity to walk behind the waterfall, in the undercut of the rocks that the erosion had formed. Walking behind the waterfall was a really exciting experience and everyone felt really good to be able to say they had completed the walk! The water was beating down into the plunge pool and the water was spraying at us just like fine rain. When we were right behind the waterfall we stopped for a quick group photo and then continued around the path to get back onto the bus in our soaking gear, yet smiling faces!
Hannah (Year 9)
Hannah (Year 9)
Skogafoss – Friday 3rd September
We arrived at Skogafoss at around midday and even from the bus it was an amazing sight! Skogafoss is 62 metres high and 26 metres wide. We walked along a shingle bank right up to the waterfall and it looked huge! The spray was so intense it was like being in a car wash! We were completely soaked in seconds and our waterproofs weren’t much help! It was an amazing experience to be so close to what was the largest waterfall that many of us had ever seen. Back on the coach, it was a five minute journey to the café, where we dried out and had some warm food and drink. ‘All you can’ eat soup and hot chocolate for many of us!
Jack and Rob (Year 9)
Reynisfjara Beach – Friday 3rd September
We continued travelling east to Reynisfjara beach. The weather conditions were not perfect as it was extremely windy and wet. When we got there we put our full waterproofs on and walked down to the beach in the rain. The beach was covered in black lava sand and stones due to the rocks falling off the steep mountain sides. This beach is ranked in the top 10 beaches in the world due to the coastal landforms (stacks and arches) at either end of the black crescent and the glaciers and ice caps behind. However, due to the weather it not a brilliant view which was unfortunate. But the wind meant the waves were truly amazing and occasionally exceeded approximately 25 feet in height! The waves were so powerful that they were dramatically eating away the beach. We could see the beach being flattened and eroded before our eyes. On the shore there were basalt lava columns that we had hoped to climb but the rain and waves meant it was not safe today. If we cut the columns in half, we would see hexagonal shapes. After getting soaked and blown about, we quickly hurried back to the coach where thankfully it was warm and dry.
David and Toby (Year 9)
David and Toby (Year 9)
Jokulhlaup Damage – Thursday 2nd September
After a hearty meal at Restaurant Freynes, complete with fantastic glacial views, we headed back east to our Hostel. We stopped however to view some twisted steel segments of the old bridges that cross the sandur (glacial outwash plain) that lies between the glaciers and the coast. In 1996, an eruption underneath the Vatnajokull icecap caused a jokulhlaup, which is a large flood that occurs when melted ice is released by the ice cap being ‘floated’ by the meltwater. This jokulhlaup released 3000 billion cubic litres of water in a few hours, peaking at 50,000m3/s, and carried icebergs and rocks the size of 3 storey buildings! The bridges were bent like match sticks and the new road bridges now have steel which is almost twice as thick (10 inches) as before to try and reduce the impact of any future eruptions!
CP
Friday 3 September 2010
The Laki eruption and Eldhraun Lava Flow - Friday 3rd September
We pulled in at the side of the road to visit the Lava Flow created by the Laki Eruption in 1783. The Lava Flow is 500 square miles in area, which is the largest Lava Flow from a single eruption. Straight away Mr. Pittam found his rock and tried to pronounce the word “a’a”!
Next we started to explore the Lava Flow, we found that it was covered in moss (which was very springy). The moss and soil were formed by the process known as “succession”. This is after the Lava has solidified and layers of vegetation have grown over the top. The Lava travelled 50km before it solidified.
We noticed the Lava Flow was much bigger than first anticipated, and it formed small mounds. We enjoyed walking over the Lava Flow as the moss was so springy underfoot.
Zak and Liam (Year 9)
Next we started to explore the Lava Flow, we found that it was covered in moss (which was very springy). The moss and soil were formed by the process known as “succession”. This is after the Lava has solidified and layers of vegetation have grown over the top. The Lava travelled 50km before it solidified.
We noticed the Lava Flow was much bigger than first anticipated, and it formed small mounds. We enjoyed walking over the Lava Flow as the moss was so springy underfoot.
Zak and Liam (Year 9)
Skaftafell National Park - Thursday 2nd September
After the lovely Jokulsarlon Lagoon, we drove to the Skaftafell National Park. We were greeted by a charming guide whose name we couldn’t pronounce, so we decided to call him “Will”. Will showed us a very accurate model of the Park, showing features such as braided channels on the glacial outwash plain. He pointed out that the tallest mountain in Iceland was actually a volcano and the icecap was a remarkable million years old.
Next, we took a short(ish) walk down to the Glacier, stopping several times to show us the erosion on the mountain. When we arrived near to the glacier, he gave us a picture of the same spot, taken in 1994, it was amazing how much of the glacier had retreated in the past 16 years. Despite how much it had shrunk, the sheer vastness of the ice was mind-blowing; reaching hundreds of metres wide.
There are many of these great glacial valleys across Iceland, as the country is in fact 11 per cent ice. In front of the glacier were lagoons, formed by melted ice.
Callum and Lucy (Year 9)
Next, we took a short(ish) walk down to the Glacier, stopping several times to show us the erosion on the mountain. When we arrived near to the glacier, he gave us a picture of the same spot, taken in 1994, it was amazing how much of the glacier had retreated in the past 16 years. Despite how much it had shrunk, the sheer vastness of the ice was mind-blowing; reaching hundreds of metres wide.
There are many of these great glacial valleys across Iceland, as the country is in fact 11 per cent ice. In front of the glacier were lagoons, formed by melted ice.
Callum and Lucy (Year 9)
[Editorial Note: the bottom right photo contains our group, still some hundred metres from the glacial snout (where the bottom left photo was taken), for scale; they are along the "line" between the gravel and the ice]
Jokulsarlon - Thursday 2nd September (Part Two)
The first stop of the day after a tiring six hour coach journey was at the Jokulsarlon pro-glacial lagoon. Stepping from the coach we were greeted with a burst of cold air and magnificent views of the beautiful icebergs floating in the shimmering blue lagoon. The icebergs varied in all sizes and colours from clear blue, to a dirty black. This glacial lagoon had previously been used as a film set for the James Bond movie “Die another Day” where they froze the water over for a thrilling car chase.
Whilst walking along the shore we found some ice-blocks that had been washed on to the rocks. We were amazed by the patterns that the air bubbles created in the ice. George found himself a small iceberg, which he was very proud of. We also followed in Mr. Pittam’s footsteps and found ourselves becoming avid rock collectors, searching intently to find pieces of volcanic rock. We were looking for black rocks with air bubbles in, which would have happened when the lava solidified. They are black due to traces of the mineral Basalt.
We also saw the effects of global warming in action as we witnessed one of the icebergs snapping in half and crashing into the water. Jokulsarlon is home to some fascinating wildlife, such as seals, and various species of bird, including Eider Ducks, the Great Skua and the Red-Throated Diver.
Before leaving we took a walk down to a very unusual beach, that had black sand and Icebergs in the sea! It was strangely beautiful and the whole experience was radical!
By Sophie, Beth and Hannah.
Whilst walking along the shore we found some ice-blocks that had been washed on to the rocks. We were amazed by the patterns that the air bubbles created in the ice. George found himself a small iceberg, which he was very proud of. We also followed in Mr. Pittam’s footsteps and found ourselves becoming avid rock collectors, searching intently to find pieces of volcanic rock. We were looking for black rocks with air bubbles in, which would have happened when the lava solidified. They are black due to traces of the mineral Basalt.
We also saw the effects of global warming in action as we witnessed one of the icebergs snapping in half and crashing into the water. Jokulsarlon is home to some fascinating wildlife, such as seals, and various species of bird, including Eider Ducks, the Great Skua and the Red-Throated Diver.
Before leaving we took a walk down to a very unusual beach, that had black sand and Icebergs in the sea! It was strangely beautiful and the whole experience was radical!
By Sophie, Beth and Hannah.
Jokulsarlon (Part 1) - Thursday 2nd September
After a long drive we arrived at Jokulsarlon, a pro-glacial lagoon, just beyond Skaftafell (where they filmed a part of Die Another Day). We then ate our lunch and then ventured up the slope so we could get a better view of the Icebergs and Glaciers beyond.
After a few group photos with the icebergs behind us we went down to the shore of the lagoon. A lot of us journeyed down to the beach where some icebergs lay stranded.
The group that were left sat around on the shore looking for seals. Suddenly there was an almighty crunch and a large slab of ice broke away from the structure and the back sank raising the front end out of the water. Wow!
After we soaked up the lagoons natural beauty we piled back onto the coach and traveled to Skaftafell Park.
Amelia (Year 10)
After a few group photos with the icebergs behind us we went down to the shore of the lagoon. A lot of us journeyed down to the beach where some icebergs lay stranded.
The group that were left sat around on the shore looking for seals. Suddenly there was an almighty crunch and a large slab of ice broke away from the structure and the back sank raising the front end out of the water. Wow!
After we soaked up the lagoons natural beauty we piled back onto the coach and traveled to Skaftafell Park.
Amelia (Year 10)
Journey East - Thursday 2nd August
Apologies for those following this blog that we were unable to post any reports on 2nd September. There was no internet access in our hostel on that night. I shall add reports and pictures from the last two days of our trip as soon as I can but am limited tonight (3rd) as we wake at 3am tomorrow morning!
The journey along route 1 was really smooth (being a newly tarmaced road - the majority of raods leading off route 1 were invariably dirt tracks!) and apart from the clouds and rain following us along the coast we have had a fantastic two days as the pupils reports will highlight. We also saw lots of amazing sights from the coach as we travelled; from waterfalls plunging off towering escarpments to 11 mile wide glaciers; geothermal-powered greenhouses to various lava flows and awe-inspiring damage caused by glacial floodwaters to steel bridges! Unfortunately Hekla (an active volcano) was obscured by cloud and whilst we passed within 10 miles of Eyjafjallajokull, we couldn't see it since it remains under an ice cap.
Our hostel for our overnight stay on Thursday was quaint but comfy and had fantastic views. We are now back in our excellent hotel in Hafnarfjordur.
CP
The journey along route 1 was really smooth (being a newly tarmaced road - the majority of raods leading off route 1 were invariably dirt tracks!) and apart from the clouds and rain following us along the coast we have had a fantastic two days as the pupils reports will highlight. We also saw lots of amazing sights from the coach as we travelled; from waterfalls plunging off towering escarpments to 11 mile wide glaciers; geothermal-powered greenhouses to various lava flows and awe-inspiring damage caused by glacial floodwaters to steel bridges! Unfortunately Hekla (an active volcano) was obscured by cloud and whilst we passed within 10 miles of Eyjafjallajokull, we couldn't see it since it remains under an ice cap.
Our hostel for our overnight stay on Thursday was quaint but comfy and had fantastic views. We are now back in our excellent hotel in Hafnarfjordur.
CP
Wednesday 1 September 2010
Whale Watching - Wednesday 1st September
At 13:00 we left the Reykjavik harbour on a converted fishing boat, to set sail to see some whales. After a 45minute boat journey we were informed to look for Gannets (large seabirds) which feed on the same fish as the Minke Whales do, so after spotting the birds, we saw a whale. When the whales surface they create a still area of water called a footprint. Also, how arched their backs are when they surface, determines how deep they dive. They can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes at a time and can go much deeper than the bay which was only 30-40 meters deep. As the whales only surface for a few seconds, and with the tour guide constantly shouting different directions, the whales were pretty much impossible to get on camera. I thought that the best part of the whale watching trip was constantly trying to spot whales. Also the boat journey was great fun with everyone getting on really well having shared in a fantastic experience!
Aidan and Sam (Year 10)
[Minke Whale photo by Rachel]
Reykjavik Tour - Wednesday 1st September
After another great breakfast, we left the Hotel towards our first stop, which was the Presidential House. It was incredible how close we could go, and how open it was. There was a pretty funny story of a Japanese tourist group that got a little too close, i.e. Right up to the windows leading to the police being called; However, the tourists were long gone before the police arrived 20 minutes later! The grounds were amazing, and there was an interesting church situated in front of the house.
The main centre of Reykjavik was incredible! There was a central park area with seating area, not too far from the pond called Tjörnin (full of ducks, and other birds), a larger church, with interesting features, and the main city hall, where the politicians debate local issues. This was a very modern looking building, overlooking the pond. We were surprised at how small the square was and that the parliament was the size of a large house! The many art galleries, museums and interesting and quirky statues/sculptures we encountered showed what a cultural and very artistic city Reykjavik is.
Liam (Year 10)
Hveragerđl Geothermal Power Station - Tuesday 31st August
After an exciting, yet tiring day, we visited Hveragerđl Power Station for our final excursion. The power plant uses geothermal energy to produce 30% of Iceland’s total electricity supply, where as Hydroelectric power stations make up the remaining 70%.
As we entered the modern looking power station, we were greeted by our tour guide who conducted a brief presentation, explaining the aims of the power plants. By 2012, they are aiming to produce 300 mega watts, which is enough to supply the total population of Iceland with “green” electricity. Most of it will go into industry however, although the plant will supply the majority of hot water to Reykjavik!
After this we were shown upstairs, first to a diagram presentation of how the energy is produced… apparently on the biggest touch screen in Europe. After this we were shown further upstairs where we were shown some sounds of earthquakes in Iceland (in 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008). After this we were shown the generators and steam extractors before our tour finished.
During the tour, we were told that, in Iceland, the water is treated with hydrogen sulphide, because there is too much oxygen in the water which causes corrosion in pipes. It also reduces the waters boiling level so that the water is more efficient. However even when treated, a smell remains which is similar to rotten eggs, this means that all of the hot water in Iceland smells of egg…: seriously, this is not good!
George and Ben (Year 10)
As we entered the modern looking power station, we were greeted by our tour guide who conducted a brief presentation, explaining the aims of the power plants. By 2012, they are aiming to produce 300 mega watts, which is enough to supply the total population of Iceland with “green” electricity. Most of it will go into industry however, although the plant will supply the majority of hot water to Reykjavik!
After this we were shown upstairs, first to a diagram presentation of how the energy is produced… apparently on the biggest touch screen in Europe. After this we were shown further upstairs where we were shown some sounds of earthquakes in Iceland (in 1998, 2001, 2005 and 2008). After this we were shown the generators and steam extractors before our tour finished.
During the tour, we were told that, in Iceland, the water is treated with hydrogen sulphide, because there is too much oxygen in the water which causes corrosion in pipes. It also reduces the waters boiling level so that the water is more efficient. However even when treated, a smell remains which is similar to rotten eggs, this means that all of the hot water in Iceland smells of egg…: seriously, this is not good!
George and Ben (Year 10)
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