Grundarfjodur, 7/31/2024, National Geographic Explorer
Aboard the
National Geographic Explorer
Iceland
This morning we enjoyed a day at sea and we listened to several interesting presentations. National Geographic Expert Mike Libecki shared about his adventures as he traveled around the world sharing his love of nature. Then we learned about the Sagas from our Cultural Specialist Claudia Hossbach. In the afternoon guests had the option to explore the beautiful lava field or observe a stunning waterfall. Then guests gathered at the church for live Icelandic music.
The day ended with a presentation of the undersea team’s adventures and the slideshow put together by the guests. It was a wholesome ending to a voyage we wish could last longer. For all of us, Iceland will remain in our hearts.
Sierra Phillips is a United Nations Youth Delegate and National Geographic Educator who received a master's degree in Exploration Sciences. Her training includes extensive work in marine biology/ecology, nautical archaeology, marine mammal care, shar...
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Visiting Djúpavík, a remote and captivating village in Iceland’s Westfjords, is an experience that feels like stepping into a forgotten world. The journey to Djúpavík begins with a breathtaking sail through the deep fjords, where towering cliffs rise dramatically from the sea, and the vastness of the Arctic landscape unfolds in every direction. The sailing in itself is an adventure, with the crisp sea air and the occasional sighting of northern fulmars and black-legged kittiwakes adding to the allure. As we approached Djúpavík, the silhouette of the old herring factory loomed in the distance, a testament to the village’s past as a thriving fishing hub. Today, the factory stands as a hauntingly beautiful relic, its rusting structures juxtaposed against the pristine natural surroundings. Walking along the many trails with fellow guests, we were struck by the stillness and solitude, broken only by the sound of the wind and waves. The guide shared stories of the village’s heyday, giving life to the silent ruins. The visit was a profound reminder of nature’s power and the resilience of the people who once lived in this remote part of the world. Djúpavík, with its stark beauty and sense of history, left an indelible impression on us all.
The Westman Islands, situated just off the southwestern coast of mainland Iceland, are comprised of many very small remnant volcanic stacks, or plugs, with the exception being Heimaey and Surtsey Islands. Heimaey, the largest of the Westman Islands, has a population of just over 4,000 people. This ruggedly beautiful volcanic island boasts a thriving commercial fishery, comprising nearly 15% of all of Iceland’s fishing exports. However, Heimaey is most well-known for its recent dramatic volcanic history. In the middle of the night on January 23, 1973, a massive and unexpected eruption took place near the base of Eldfell (Fire Mountain) when a mile-long fissure ripped open and began spewing hot ash, gas, and massive amounts of lava. Within hours it was evident that this event would be severe, and it required the evacuation of the island. Lava flows and ash covered and buried over 400 homes and structures and threatened to block the entrance to the harbor. A massive effort was marshalled with assistance from the US Army and Navy, providing huge water pumps that were employed to hose down the encroaching lava flows and slow or divert its progress. The remnants of those efforts can be seen when entering or leaving the harbor, as an already dramatic entrance with towering volcanic cliffs was narrowed by the tongue of lava left from the eruption. Our time today was spent hiking to the top of the still-steaming crater rim of the eruption or touring the island by coach and stopping at various sites of interest, including a very active Atlantic puffin colony. With both options, guests were able to spend ample time in the museum created to memorialize this incredible and dramatic event. The museum is built around one of the homes that was buried in hot ash deposits, which makes for an incredible setting to learn more about the event. The afternoon afforded us with the ability to explore the many other small islands that make up the Westmans by ship. One of the afternoon’s highlights was seeing the thriving birdlife that breeds on these remote stacks of volcanic material. Northern gannets, razorbills, guillemots, and several species of gulls nest on the islands and take advantage of the productive waters surrounding them. Lastly, we circumnavigated the youngest island on the planet, Surtsey, which formed in an eruption that began in 1963 and fizzled out by 1967. Surtsey is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Scientists use the island to observe the progression as biological life takes hold of vacant real estate.
Our day began in the Westfjords of Iceland aboard National Geographic Resolution . Once on land, we hiked up to the stunning waterfall Dynjandi, one of Iceland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Dynjandi (which roughly translates to “thunderous”) is a powerful, wide-spreading waterfall that has a series of falls below as the water makes its way to the ocean. Our long hikers saw a whale during their walk into the fjord, and some seals popped their heads up above the water along the shoreline. The hotel team prepared a tasty waffle teatime for us to enjoy as we sailed past Látrabjarg, the easternmost point of Iceland, full of birds and life. Greg Winston shared his experiences as a National Geographic photographer, and our guest speaker Ragna Árnadóttir gave a presentation on Althing and the history of the Icelandic parliament. The talk was extremely interesting and gave great insight into Icelandic culture and how the democracy has developed over the years.
