Helloooo everyone! Welcome to day 5 of Iceland!
We started the day viewing the Glacier Lagoon! We got to see huge chunks of ice floating across the water. It was so cool watching the ice slowly drift through the lagoon after breaking off from the glacier. I also collected some rocks along the shore.
Right next to the lagoon is the famous “Diamond Beach,” where pieces of glacier wash up onto the black volcanic sand. The contrast between the clear, sparkling ice and the dark sand makes it look like giant diamonds scattered along the shoreline.
We were also reminded to stay far from the water’s edge. The lagoon water is just above freezing and moves quickly, so slipping near the edge would be extremely dangerous.
Next, we took a hike to Svartifoss, one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. It was an one hour hike! What makes this waterfall unique is the wall of dark basalt columns surrounding it, formed from cooling lava flows.
After, we made quick stop to at the Skeioara Bridge Monument, which tells the story of one of Iceland’s powerful natural events. The twisted steel beams displayed there are actually pieces of the original bridge that were destroyed during a massive glacial outburst flood. This flood was triggered by volcanic activity, which rapidly melted large amounts of ice and released huge volumes of water downstream.
We ended the day seeing the Dwarf Rocks, which are a series of unique rock formations shaped over time by Iceland’s natural forces. These rocks were formed from volcanic basalt.
We’re going to eat dinner soon! I’ll be back tomorrow!
Hope we get lucky with the northern lights tonight!
PEACE OUT!
Swanson School of Engineering 