Today was another really cool day exploring Iceland. We spent a lot of time on the bus heading back to Reykjavik! Our first stop was the famous black sand beach, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach near Vík í Mýrdal. The sand was completely black because it’s made from volcanic rock, which made the whole beach look really dramatic. The waves were huge and powerful, and recently the famous basalt columns were destroyed by them. It was definitely one of the most unique beaches I’ve ever seen.
Later we visited the Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, one of the largest geothermal power plants in the world. It uses heat from underground volcanic activity to generate electricity and hot water for homes in Reykjavík. We got to see one of the geodesic domes, where the carbonated water is injected into the basalt. It was really interesting to see how Iceland takes advantage of its natural geothermal energy to power the country in a renewable way.
To end the day, some of us went to Sky Lagoon. The warm geothermal water overlooking the ocean was incredibly relaxing after a long day of traveling and exploring. This was definitely something I looked forward to all trip and it was worth the hype! Watching the sunset from the lagoon was the perfect way to finish the day.
- Aubrey M
Swanson School of Engineering 