We traveled far and wide today, visiting two waterfalls, a museum, a glacier, and a small town before the day was over. Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss (the two waterfalls we visited) were beautiful. The steep basaltic cliffs dotted with bird nests created the perfect backdrop behind the falling water. The rainbow that appeared as we approached Skogafoss made it all the more stunning, and it’s definitely a sight I’ll never forget. Skogafoss can be viewed from the base of the waterfall and from a platform above, and it only requires climbing a couple hundred steps to get there. At the top, you have the perfect view of Iceland’s southern coast, towering mountains, and a glacial stream carving through the landscape before transforming into a majestic waterfall.
Before reaching the town of Vik, we stopped to see the Solheimajokull glacier. It’s known as an outlet glacier that is part of a larger glacier, called Myrdalsjokull (Myrdalsjokull is located in the caldera of a volcano called Katla… which could erupt at any time). Solheimajokull sits behind a large glacial lagoon- evidence of the glacial melt that has been occurring over the years. It is very sensitive to changes in climate; there is considerable difference in its size between summer and winter, and overall, the glacier is retreating significantly each year. After learning about these geologic processes in my environmental science classes, it is rewarding to experience them in real life and develop a deeper appreciation for our earth.
Swanson School of Engineering 