The southern region of Iceland is a very complex and interesting landscape within the country. Lined with forces of nature including volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs, the region has had to adapt to withstand and work around these features.
As we were driving today, we crossed over many bridges and broached the subject of why they were engineered the way they were. These bridges all were built on embankments, reinforced with material, and raised up a significant amount in almost every scenario. This is due to the major flooding that occurs with the climate in the region along with any sediment that comes off of mountains and risks hitting the bridge. Along with this, we took a look at the damage that had been done to a previous bridge and how the flooded waters had traveled so fast and mangled it, so the engineers of these bridges had to prepare for these situations in the future.
With all of this work being done on the roads and bridges, Iceland has discovered ways to ensure their goal of sustainability is taken into account. Iceland utilizes fragments of rock, specifically lava rock, for parts of their road system to use the resources that are provided for them from the earth.
Along with using the resources provided from the ground around them, Iceland also uses alternative methods of melting snow on the roads and ensuring safe driving. Geothermal energy is a major form of energy in the country and is utilized for numerous purposes. One of these purposes is to heat their roads. Iceland runs pipes under the road systems to heat them and melt snow and ice for travelers. Due to the harsh climate in the region, this energy is not only sustainable for the environment, but also protects all that use the road.
The southern region of Iceland has been dealt a bad hand with the forces of nature and the climate, but engineers have hit the jackpot in the methods they use to get through it.
Swanson School of Engineering 