History Archives - All Things Iceland

5 Fascinating Facts About the Icelandic Horse

Jewells Chambers — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 21:27:25 +0000

The Icelandic horse is a breed like no other, with a history that is deeply intertwined with the island nation itself. Brought to Iceland by Norse settlers in the 9th and 10th centuries, these horses have remained a pure breed for over a thousand years.

The isolation of Iceland has played a significant role in maintaining the purity of the Icelandic horse. No other horses have been allowed into the country since the original stock arrived, and once an Icelandic horse leaves the island, it can never return. This strict regulation ensures the breed remains free from diseases and maintains its unique characteristics.

Five Fascinating Facts About Icelandic Horses

Pure Breed Lineage: As mentioned, Icelandic horses are direct descendants of the horses brought by the Norse settlers, making them one of the purest horse breeds in the world. This uninterrupted lineage has preserved their unique traits and robust health.
Lifetime Exile: Due to strict biosecurity measures, any Icelandic horse that leaves Iceland is barred from returning. This policy is in place to protect the breed from foreign diseases and maintain the health and purity of the Icelandic stock.
Five Gaits: While most horse breeds have three or four gaits (walk, trot, canter/gallop), Icelandic horses are renowned for their five gaits. In addition to the typical walk, trot, and canter/gallop, they can perform the tölt and the skeið (pace). The tölt is a smooth, four-beat gait that is incredibly comfortable for the rider, while the skeið is a fast, two-beat gait used for racing.
Longevity: Icelandic horses are known for their longevity and can live well into their late 20s or even 30s. Some individuals have been known to continue riding well into their 20s, which is a testament to their hardiness and excellent care standards in Iceland.
Temperament: Icelandic horses are famous for their friendly and curious nature. They are generally easy to handle and have a calm demeanor, making them excellent companions for riders of all levels. Their intelligence and willingness to please further enhance their appeal.

Interacting with Icelandic Horses: Guidelines for Visitors

Icelandic horses are a national treasure, and their care and preservation are of utmost importance. If you’re lucky enough to encounter these magnificent creatures, here are some guidelines to ensure a safe and respectful interaction:

Do Not Stop in the Middle of the Road: While the sight of Icelandic horses can be mesmerizing, stopping in the middle of the road poses a significant risk. Always ensure that you park your vehicle in a visible and safe location before approaching them.
Pet Horses Appropriately: The best places to pet Icelandic horses are on a horse-riding tour or at a farm, with permission from the owner. Always ask beforehand to ensure that it’s a suitable time and place for interaction.
Do Not Feed the Horses: Icelandic horses are well-fed, and giving them inappropriate food can harm their health. Trust that their caretakers provide them with the necessary nutrition.
Respect Private Property: Most Icelandic horses are kept on private land. Never trespass onto private property without permission. Always respect the boundaries set by property owners.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your interaction with Icelandic horses is both enjoyable and respectful, preserving the well-being of these incredible animals and the cultural heritage they represent.

Random Fact of the Episode

The Icelandic horse is one of the most colorful breeds in the world. It has over 40 colours and up to 100 variations and, with only few exceptions, most of the known horse colours can be found within the breed.

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Hestur – Horse

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Þakka þér kærlega fyrir að hlusta og sjáumst fljótlega.

The post 5 Fascinating Facts About the Icelandic Horse appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Skriðuklaustur – A Hidden Monastery Discovered in East Iceland

Jewells Chambers — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 13:33:55 +0000

Today’s episode focuses on the historic site of Skriðuklaustur, which offers a captivating glimpse into Iceland’s rich Icelandic culture, history, and literature. This enchanting destination, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Icelandic landscape, serves as a bridge between the past and the present, inviting visitors to explore the layers of stories etched within this museum.

The Origins of Skriðuklaustur Monastery

Skriðuklaustur, a landmark of rural eastern Iceland, and has origins tracing back to a 16th-century monastery. Revealed through an extensive archaeological excavation from 2002 to 2012, the ruins of this Augustinian cloister tell a tale of resilience, spirituality, and compassion.

Established around 1493, this monastery served as a refuge for the sick and the poor. Its existence, cut short by the Reformation in the mid-16th century, marks a significant chapter in Iceland’s religious and social history.

The Link Between Skriðuklaustur Monastery & Gunnar Gunnarsson

The monastery’s story is interwoven with the life of Gunnar Gunnarsson, one of Iceland’s most renowned literary figures. Gunnarsson, born in 1889, emerged as a prolific writer whose works resonated with readers across the globe.

His decision to write in Danish brought his stories to an international audience, earning him acclaim and raising questions about his cultural identity. Gunnarsson’s legacy is complex, marked by his literary success and the controversies surrounding his public appearances in Nazi Germany.

In 1939, Gunnarsson returned to Iceland, making Skriðuklaustur his home. The mansion he built, a testament to his ambition and unique architectural vision, now stands as a cultural beacon. Designed by the German architect Fritz Höger, the mansion reflects a blend of Icelandic and European influences.

Today, it houses exhibitions on Gunnarsson’s work, offering visitors a window into the life of a man whose storytelling left an indelible mark on Icelandic literature.

I share some insight into Gunnar Gunnarsson’s and Halldór Laxness’ friendship and eventual falling out in a previous podcast episode.

More Than Just a Historic Site

Skriðuklaustur is more than a historic site; it is a living museum that continues to inspire and educate. The monastery ruins, accessible to visitors year-round, offer a tangible connection to Iceland’s monastic heritage. The site’s archaeological significance is underscored by the extensive research conducted over a ten-year period, which shed light on the daily lives of the monks, their literary endeavors, and the monastery’s role as a hospital.

The findings from the cloister cemetery are particularly fascinating because they reveal the hardships faced by those who sought refuge within the monastery’s walls. The study of nearly 300 individuals buried on the site provides invaluable insights into the health and social conditions of 16th-century Iceland. The presence of graves belonging to patients, the disabled, and even the unbaptized stillborn highlights the monastery’s inclusive approach to care and compassion.

Skriðuklaustur’s archaeological excavation also unearthed over 13,000 artifacts, offering a glimpse into the material culture of the time. Among the treasures discovered was a fragmented statue of Saint Barbara, symbolizing the spiritual life that once flourished within the monastery’s walls.

The application of photogrammetry technology has allowed these artifacts to be explored in detail, further enriching our understanding of this historic site.

An East Iceland Gem

As Skriðuklaustur opens its doors for the 2024 season, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the site’s history and beauty. The upcoming art exhibition “Polyphony” by Björg Eiríksdóttir, alongside a new exhibit by Gunnar Gunnarsson’s son, promises to be a highlight, showcasing the ongoing dialogue between past and present.

Skriðuklaustur stands as a testament to Iceland’s rich cultural heritage, embodying the spirit of resilience, creativity, and compassion that defines this remarkable country. Whether drawn by the allure of ancient ruins, the legacy of a literary giant, or the promise of cultural exploration, visitors to Skriðuklaustur will find themselves on a journey through time, where history’s whispers echo in the wind, and the landscape itself tells a story of endurance and inspiration.

Explore More of East Iceland with My Iceland Map

I’ve curated My Iceland Map so that it has awesome things for you to check out in East Iceland and around the country.

This map was created for those who want to pick out places and hidden gems around Iceland to make up their own itinerary or add to one that they already created.

With full access, you get over 250 places that I recommend in Iceland, along with four itineraries to use for planning your trip. Those itineraries include a 10-day Ring Road trip, a 3-day South Iceland trip, The Famous Golden Circle and a Reykjanes Peninsula Day Trip.

A one-time purchase gives you lifetime access, which includes any updates I make to the map.

Here is a link to my Iceland map: rexby.com/jewells/Iceland.

Random Fact of the Episode

Skriðuklaustur has a lot of unique history and fascinating things to see in the museum. One of my favorite things was the virtual reality tour of the monastery that was found. You put on a VR headset and can tour around the recreated monastery as if you were there in the 1400s.

There is also a café downstairs that has a lunch buffet during summer.

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Skriðuklaustur when broken down is two words. The first is skriða, which means landslide. The second is klaustur, which mean cloister or monastery.

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Living in Greenland vs Iceland – Josepha Lauth Thomsen

Jewells Chambers — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 18:46:39 +0000

This is the third and last episode I am publishing for what I dubbed “Greenland Week” on the podcast. As mentioned in previous episodes, Greenland and Iceland have some interesting things in common. Also, Iceland is only one of two places in the world where you can fly directly to Greenland, which gives you a unique opportunity to explore both places.

During this interview with the lovely and multi-talented Jospeha, we talk about what it was like for her growing up in Greenland, as well as her experience living in Iceland and Denmark.

Josepha is a fantastic photographer, mask dancer, and knowledgeable guide. In fact, she has guided all over Greenland and provides some insight on what to see and do in the country.

Follow Josepha on Social Media

Other Episodes about Greenland

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From Iceland to Greenland: An Epic Adventure for Nature Lovers

Jewells Chambers — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:11:41 +0000

I have a special series of episodes that I’ll be sharing this week about Greenland! In fact, I am calling it Greenland week because, inclusive of this episode, I have two other episodes that I’ll post. You might be wondering why I am sharing about Greenland when I normally talk about Iceland and the answer is simple. Both countries have amazing nature, and you can get directly to Greenland from Iceland in a short period of time.

So, if you have ever wanted to visit Greenland or you are intrigued about the idea of going there, you are in for a treat this week. I visited Nuuk, Greenland, which is the capital of the country, in mid-February of this year and had an amazing time. I visited East Greenland, specifically Kulusuk, Tasiilaq, and the interior of the country back in 2018 for 9-days.

That was an incredible experience that made me curious about Nuuk because East Greenland is like stepping back in time. I consider it a time capsule that gives you a glimpse into a much simpler way of living. Plus, the towns are quite small. For example, around 200 people live in Kulusuk. On the other hand, Nuuk is a modern city that kind of made me feel like I was back in Iceland.

How this Episode about Greenland is Set Up

The way I have set this episode up is that I will share some insight about Iceland vs Greenland. Not in a competitive way but more so about each destination and their unique aspects. You’ll find that they have some things in common. After that, I will share my experience in Nuuk and the things I was so fortunate to do. This can give you an idea of things to enjoy if you decide to travel there.

What is Greenland Week?

The two other episodes about Greenland are interviews I did with two awesome women. One is Aká, a Greenlandic activist working to reclaim the cultural in Greenland after the country had been colonized by the Danish for hundreds of years. She is also a strong advocate of Greenland becoming an independent country. Currently, it is considered a district of Denmark.

The other interview is with Josepha, she is a Greenlander that grew up in Nuuk, and has lived in Denmark and Iceland. She’s multi-talented and has guided all over Greenland. She shares her insight about fun things to do there, mask dancing (a tradition) that Greenlandic people have been reincorporating back into their culture, and more.

Before jumping into differences & similarities of Iceland and Greenland, I would like to thank the sponsors of this episode, which are Visit Greenland and Visit Nuuk.

A special shout out to Josepha, who coordinated this whole trip for me. I highly recommend following her on Instagram, where she is child_of_the_arctic

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Iceland vs Greenland

Land Mass of Each Country

Iceland – 103,000 square kilometers (39,768.5 square miles)
Greenland – 2.16 million square kilometers (836,330 miles)
Both are islands but Greenland is considered the largest island in the world.

Land mass of each capital area

Reykjavik – 273 square kilometers (105 square miles)
Nuuk – 690 square kilometers (about 266 square miles)

Ice coverage in Iceland & Greenland

Over 80% of Greenland in ice while only about 11% of Iceland is covered in ice. Similar to Greenland, about 80% of Iceland is uninhabited. The highlands of Iceland is what makes up most of that uninhabited land.

Population in the whole country

Iceland – 387,800 (as of January 20^th, 2023)
Greenland – 56,500 people.

Population in Each Capital

Nuuk has 19,261 in the capital area
Reykjavik has 245,000 people in the capital area (about two thirds of the country). There are 4 times as many people living in Reykjavik than in the whole of Greenland

Geographical Location

While Greenland is technically on the North American continent, meaning the North American tectonic plate, it has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for over 1,000 years. About two thirds of Greenland lies within the Artic Circle. Nuuk is about 240 kilometers (149 miles) south of the Artic Circle.
Iceland straddles the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which is the world’s largest

Animals

Iceland

Whales
Arctic foxes
Birds
Horses
Sheep
Fish
Seals
Arctic reindeer
Icelandic sheep dog

Greenland

Musk ox
Arctic hare
Walrus
Arctic fox
Arctic wolf
Arctic reindeer
Greenland dog
Sheep
Seals
Whales
Caribou
Greenland shark
Birds

Languages Spoken

Greenland
- Greenlandic, Danish, English
Iceland
- Icelandic, English and you might see some signs in Polish

Weather in Winter and Summer

Iceland

Summer in Iceland can range from 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit) to 20 degrees Celsius. To be fair, the average high is more like 16 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit)
The average winter temperatures here can be from -5 (23 Fahrenheit) upwards to +5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit)

Greenland

Greenlandic summers are a little cooler than Iceland. It’s expected that the temperatures will not go above 10 degrees Celsius. However, it can and has happened that the temperatures went upwards of 70 degrees Fahrenheit there. That is a rare occurrence so don’t bank on that happening.
During winter, the temperatures can drop down to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degree Fahrenheit) or even lower. Layering up is serious business in Greenland and my lopapeysa, along with my layering system came in handy. Also, handwarmers were a must for me on my trip and I’m pretty sure they kept my fingers from falling off.

Day Light Hours

Greenland & Iceland

Similar to Iceland, winter means long, dark days in Greenland. The shortest day is about 4 hours and 22 minutes in December
During the summer, they also have the midnight sun. Every May 25^th to July 25^th, the sun stays visible throughout the day and evening. The longest day is June 21^st, or the summer solstice and

Main Industries in Iceland and Greenland

Iceland

Tourism, aluminum smelting and fisheries

Greenland

Fishing

Insects

For the most part, you don’t have to worry that much about insects in Iceland. Recently, we have had some issues with small biting flies in the country during summer and you will for sure need a fly net in the Mývatn in north Iceland but that is pretty much it.

Greenland, on the other hand, is known for its arctic mosquitos that show up in abundance during June and July. A mosquito net is a must and strong repellent.

Currency

In Greenland, the currency is the Danish Krone, while in Iceland, the currency is the Icelandic Kronur

Transportation – Getting between Towns

Greenland

While there are plenty of roads to drive on in Nuuk, there are no roads that connect towns in Greenland
Helicopter, plane, boat

Iceland

You can easily drive between towns in Iceland

Both Ruled by the Danish

Denmark ruled Greenland as a colony for over 300 years. While it is no longer considered a colony, it is very much part of the Danish kingdom, as I mentioned earlier.
Iceland was ruled by Denmark from 1380 to 1944, which is over 500 years. I have spoken about this in other episodes.

My trip to Nuuk, Greenland

I feel so fortunate to have experienced Nuuk last month. After visiting, I just knew that I would like to come back, preferably during the summer. One fascinating thing to point out is that you can only directly fly to Greenland from Denmark or Iceland. Being based in Iceland meant that I am and others who live here or visit, can hop on a plane and be in Greenland within a few hours. Literally, it takes about 3 hours to get to Nuuk from Keflavik international airport.

Originally, I was supposed to arrive in Nuuk on Saturday, February 11^th and leave on the 18^th. However, there was a terrible windstorm in Iceland that resulted in all flights being cancelled. My flight was then rescheduled for Monday, February 13^th but there was also a small storm that led to delays and rescheduled flights. I ended up arriving in Nuuk at 5:00 PM on Valentine’s Day. Due to my schedule back in Iceland, I had to keep the departure day of the 18^th on a flight that left at 9:00 in the morning.

That left me with 3 days to pack in as much activity as I could, and I definitely did that!

The plane had about 37 seats, so definitely not a large aircraft. I thought it was so cool to see the snow-covered mountains, and glacier from the window of the plane. When I left Iceland, there was no snow on the ground, so it was a stark difference to arrive in Nuuk, where there was a thick layer of snow everywhere.

When you get off the plane, you walk from the aircraft to the terminal building. It was -15 degrees Fahrenheit, so I could feel the cold right away but it was refreshing. Plus, I was totally prepared. Because this is such a small airport, and there weren’t many people on the plane, it was funny to see my luggage come out on what I think is the smallest luggage conveyor belt I’ve ever encountered.

Accommodations in Greenland

I stayed at the Hotel Aurora, a lovely hotel in Nuuk that leans into the theme of the northern lights. During the day, the building has the color of the aurora visible (blue, green and purple). The room included a nice sized bathroom, a queen-sized bed, and a loft area with another big bed. That space could work well for four adults or a family. They have complimentary breakfast every day as well. I informed them that I was plant-based and they told me it was more than fine for me to store some food in their fridge, if I wanted to.

After arriving to my hotel at about 6 PM, I changed my clothes and ran out to meet Josepha and her family for dinner at Killut. To be fair, I did eat before I went over there because they didn’t have any plant-based items on the menu for their Valentine’s Day dinner, but I still enjoyed the company.

The next day, I decided to have breakfast at Pascucci, a restaurant in Nuuk City Center, which is a mall in the downtown Nuuk area. I had the vegan falafel salad and it was so good! I liked the vegan food there so much that I ended up going there a few times during my stay.

Eating Plant-Based (Vegan) Meals While in Nuuk, Greenland

I also shopped in the food markets and was pleasantly surprised to see a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and so on like in Iceland. I wasn’t lacking that much for choice and I instantly felt very comfortable because I knew there were things I could eat. Now, I didn’t have a place to cook things, so I ate a lot of raw veggies, salads, nuts, and other food that I brought with me. I had packed protein shakes, and meals from Huel, a vegan food company that makes meals that only need to soak in hot water for 5 minutes before eating.

I know it doesn’t sound it but the food is actually tasty. Because I had been to Greenland before, I knew that it wasn’t the most vegan-friendly place, meaning restaurants don’t have that many vegan options. However, I did just fine with what I brought and when I ate out.

Hot Tub & Spa in Nuuk

Along with doing the interviews that I spoke about earlier in this episode, I also did some other fun activities.

I had a lovely time at the hot tub and spa run by Inuk Hostel, which is owned by Inuk Travel. They have a hot tub and sauna with an incredible view. I enjoyed soaking in there for part of my afternoon. After the soak, I ate at their café, which also has gorgeous views of the water and snow-covered mountains in the distance. Following that experience, I was fortunate to get a driving tour of Nuuk by Magnus, one of the employees at Visit Greenland. He provided some insight on how much Nuuk has changed over the last 30 years.

There is a lot of construction going on there and it’s amazing to see the colorful building sitting on the hillsides. In contrast to that, you also have many new developments. I was surprised to see the number of high-rise buildings. On the evening of my first full day, I interviewed Aká and then went back to Hotel Aurora to prepare for the next day because I was going on a boat trip!

Getting Around Nuuk, Greenland

I have to note that I could have easily walked around Nuuk to many of the locations I wanted to go, but there were a decent amount of times that I took taxis becasue it was cold and I was tired. On average, I paid about $9 to $12 per taxi ride. I didn’t think it was that bad. Food, on the other hand, was way more expensive. There are also public buses, which are more affordable. Just know that you have to pay cash to ride.

For instance, my falafel salad was about $26 I was very full after eating it but it’s a decent amount to pay. Except for what they catch in the sea, all other food in Greenland is imported. I found it really cool to see Icelandic produce being sold in Greenlandic food markets. The price of veggies was expensive too. I easily paid $2.87 for a cucumber! Way less expensive in Iceland.

Boat Trip to Qoornoq Island

My second full day started out with a boat tour to Qoornoq island with Nuuk Water Taxi. This island was a fishing settlement for many years until the inhabitants were made to leave the island because workers were needed in Nuuk. The settlement was abandoned for many years before the houses were turned into summer homes.

Well, there were some people living on the island but it was mostly orphans that had been sent away for not behaving well. This is at least what the tour guide told us. It had snowed heavily some days before we arrived, so walking around the island was an adventure.

Thankfully, I had on very good winter boots and thick wool socks. They kept my feet warm and dry as we trudged through the sometimes almost knee-deep snow. Our location was the abandoned fish processing building. It is eerily beautiful and there is even a swing inside it that I enjoyed swinging on. After touring the island and getting back on the boat, we stopped by a gorgeous frozen waterfall before heading back to Nuuk.

We didn’t see any whales this time but we did see an incredible eagle. This was my first time getting a good view of an eagle. It was perched on a mountain and at first glance you could easily mistake it for a person because of its size.

Random share – It has happened that small dogs, like chihuahuas, have been snatched up by eagles in Nuuk. Their owners sometimes put jackets on them that have spikes to try and protect their small furry friends from becoming an eagle’s next meal.

I arrived back to Nuuk in late afternoon, and decided to get some food at Pascucci and then head back to the hotel. I ended up having dinner at Josepha’s.

My Last Full Day in Nuuk

My last full day in Nuuk started with my interview of Jospeha. She has a young child, so we had to find time during the day when her child was at day care to chat. After that, I headed to the art museum and the National Museum to learn more about Greenlandic culture. Both museums are awesome and have incredible archives. I highly recommend both.

One highlight from the art museum for me was seeing the cravings done in the walrus skull and tusks. It was so intricate and beautiful. At the National Museum of Greenland, I especially loved seeing the national outfits on display and the Inuit mummies!

Yes, there are Inuit mummies on display that look so surreal. I could have stayed in the National Museum for hours but I had other activities to do, like filming outside, and grabbing some cool souvenirs for my family at Anori Art.

Meeting a Greenlandic Shaman

One surprise part of my day that made this whole trip even more magical was meeting a Greenlandic Shaman. Her name is Rakel. She explained a bit about her journey to embrace her Shamanic roots, which had been silenced for many years due to colonization. Here is a clip of her talking about her experience.

After that, we went on a drum journey together. In short, a drum journey is when she plays her drum in a rhythmic way that puts the listener in a trance and you have visions. It was fascinating, to say the least, and an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life. Please note, thee were no drugs involved. If going on a drum journey is of interest to you, check out her Instagram and website.

The very last thing I did was meet with my friend Ella. She also grew up in Nuuk. She lived in Iceland for some time and we became friends while working at the same company in Reykjavik. It was a lovely way to finish the evening.

Special Thanks to Visit Greenland & Visit Nuuk

Thank you again to Visit Greenland and Visit Nuuk for sponsoring this adventure and podcast episode.

Random Fact of the Episode

All the cities have old Danish names that was used before, and the Danish name for Nuuk is Godthåb (the good hope, which is why when you fly to Nuuk the code for the city is GOH).

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Grænland

Greenlandic Word of the Episode

Inuit – plural

Inuk – singular

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Can an Eruption of Katla Volcano Impact the World?

Jewells Chambers — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 00:04:56 +0000

I’m delving into a fascinating and kind of scary possibility. Vík í Mýrdal is a small town in South Iceland that has become a popular place for tourists to stop to see the area’s famous black sand beach, to stay the night if they need accommodations, and so on.

However, most visitors don’t know about the potential danger that looms over this town of just over 800 residents. Katla volcano, which is about 26 kilometers or 16 miles from the town, poses a threat not only to the town if it erupts but it also could have a larger impact on the world.

The Lava Show in Vík í Mýrdal and Reykjavík

Before I jump into that, I’d like to thank The Lava Show for sponsoring this episode. During this incredible experience you can witness actual molten hot lava flow into the showroom where you are sitting. I have been to the show twice, specifically The Lava Show in Vík but they now also have a show in Reykjavík too.

While I have been fortunate to see lava from a volcanic eruption a decent amount of times due to the last two eruptions in Iceland, I was still blown away at how cool it is to see man made lava at the Lava Show. Of course, there is more to this show than just lava. For instance, at the Lava Show in Vík, you get shown a fascinating and informative video about about eruptions along the south coast, including Katla. I don’t want to give too much away but let’s just say that the eruptions in this area, including Eyjafjallajökull and Katla, have definitely made their mark in history.

Why The Lava Show is Unique

What‘s even more interesting to me is that the great grandfather of one of the owners of The Lava Show lived in the Vík area during the last eruption of Katla volcano. It is intense what he and his family went through to survive it and they provide insight into that during the show.

Along with seeing the glowing orangey red lava flowing, you feel the heat rise in the room and can hear the crackling sounds of the lava as it cools. The presenters of the show safely show everyone different aspects of how the lava performs, such as if you were to add ice to it or how malleable it is when super hot. This is an activity for all ages. For both locations the Lava Show had to make a special furnace that can heat up the rocks high enough to make the lava.

For an additional price, you can get the behind the scenes expereince to see the furnace and learn more about Icelandic geology.What is unique about the Lava Show in Vík and the one in Reykjavík is that each show is catered to talk about the volcanoes of the area they are in, including the potential dangers the eruptions in these areas can pose. For those that are unaware, Vík is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Reykjavík.

If you want a unique and fun experience in Iceland, I highly recommend checking out the Lava Show in Vík and/or in Reykjavík. I will have a link to the experience in the show notes of this episode at allthingsiceland.com/katla-volcano-eruption

How Katla Volcano Got Its Name

The folklore as to how Katla volcano got its name might give you some insight on why people see an eruption of it as one to cause concern. Legend has it that on a monastery in south Iceland lived a housekeeper named Katla. She was described as a bad-tempered woman and there was even a rumor that she was a witch. Apparently, she owned a pair of magical pants or underwear. If someone were to wear these pants they could run as fast as the wind and never get tired.

Due to her bad temper many people feared Katla and did their best to stay away from her. Even the head of the monastery was said to keep his distance. There was also a shepherd named Barði that lived on the monastery. Unfortunately for him, he had to endure the brunt of Katla’s rage if any sheep went missing.

One fateful day, Katla and the head of the monastery went off to visit someone but planned to be back that same evening. Before leaving Katla told Barði to round up the sheep while she and the abbott were gone because she wanted to milk them when she returned. Barði went about collecting the sheep but they were nowhere to be found. In a panic, he made the split secon decision of using Katla‘s magical pants to find the sheep as quickly as possible. They worked splendidly and he was able to get all the sheep in the pen before Katla returned.

When Katla returned to the monastery, she knew at once that Barði had used her magical pants and this threw her into an unprecedented rage. She was so angry that she grabbed him and drowned him in the vat of whey near the entrance of the monastery. Due to the large amount of whey, his body sank to the bottom of the vat. People wondered what had happened to him but no one had a clue. As time went on and the whey was being used, Katla worried that people would find the body. Yes, you heard that right. Katla was letting people use the whey even though she knew there was a dead body in the bottom of the vat. It didn’t help that some people claimed to hear her say to herself that “soon Barði will appear”.

It started to weigh on Katla that people would find out about her terrible secret, so she put on her magical pants and fled to Mýrdal glacier where she threw herself in a canyon there. That canyon is now known as Katla canyon, which is the volcano. Soon after she did this, an enormous flood gushed out and flooded south Iceland.

Jumping into a crack in the ice, Katla the witch wormed her way below, discovering a dormant volcano beneath the glacier. Searching for the entrance, she finally found her way inside, burrowing her way into the volcano. Shortly after there was a huge eruption, causing a tidal wave glacial flood all over the south coast of Iceland, destroying everything in its path.

This is just one Icelandic folklore story out of the many fascinating ones that exist.

Why Is an Eruption of Katla Volcano Cause for Concern?

The story of how Katla volcano got its name gives you some insight into why an eruption can be so catastrophic. Katla is a subglacial volcano located under Iceland’s fourth largest ice cap Mýrdalsjökull glacier. It is also oneof the largest volcanos in Iceland.

There are twenty documented eruptions of the Katla between 930 and 1918. These eruptions have happened at intervals of 20 to 90 years. While there have been small eruptions that didn’t break the ice in 1955, 1999 and 2011, it has not been over 100 years since it last had a major eruption. This is what leads people to believe that it is overdue for abig one.

Previous eruptions of Katla have had a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of between 4 to 6 on a scaleof 0 to 8. For reference, the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in 2010 that shut down air traffic in Europe and North America had a VEI of 4. An example of a VEI 5 eruption is comparable to Mount Saint Helens eruption in 1980.

Without even erupting, it has been found that Katla volcano contributes up to 4% of the global emissions from non-eruption volcanoes. So this volcano already has a global impact before it even spews lava out of it.

The Impact of an Eruption of Katla Volcano on Iceland and the World

With just that bit of information, I‘m sure that the potential impact of this volcano erupting could be major. In Iceland, the consequences could be an incredible flood that is comparable to the combined, yes I said combined, average discharge of the Amazon, Mississippi, Nile, and rivers (about 266,000 m³/s (9.4 million cu ft/sec)! The flood from Katla could be between 200,000–400,000 m³/s (7.1–14.1 million cu ft/sec).

This is because the molten lava underneath the glacier would melt all of the ice sitting on top of it. The tiny town of Vík sits directly in the path of the flood. While measures have been put in place to divert the water away from the town, it is still possible for the town to be wiped out within minutes.

That is why the there is an evacuation plan in Vík. Residents and guests have 15 minutes to evacuate in the event of an eruption. Residents keep an evacuation bag packed and there are even signs they need to put in their windows to let rescue workers know they have evacuated so they don`t spend time trying to find people in houses that are empty.

The Danger of Sub-glacial Volcanoes

Earlier I mentioned Eyjafjallajökull‘s eruption in 2010, that caused over a one billion in loses for the airline industry due to flight cancellations. Like Eyjafjallajökull, an eruption of Katla is hazardous because the mix of water and fire from the volcano can create an immense amount of ash.

So much ash that flying might be deemed impossible for sometime if the wind is pushing the ash in the direction of flight paths for Europe and North America. None of this is certain but there is a high probablity of it happening given the right conditions. Additionally, air quality in Iceland and possibly other places in the world could be impacted.

While this is not meant to scare anyone, I think it is good to make people aware of the interesting circumstances Icelanders have grown up with and what I have learnd to accept as a resident of this island nation. It also helps me to appreciate being able to see these places. Iceland has been formed due to volcanic eruptions, so I try to remind myself that out of the destruction eventually there is beauty and amazing newly formed landscapes.

Before jumping into the last two segments of the episode, I’d like to once again thank the Lava Show for sponsoring. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you decide to check out this unique experience in Reykjavík or Vík.

Where to Find more Information About Volcanoes in Iceland

Here are two Facebook groups that have frequent updates about volcanic activity happening in Iceland.

Random Fact of the Episode

There is an Icelandic series called Katla on Netflix. It was filmed in the town of Vík and it‘s a mystery drama that centers on the aftermath following an eruption of Katla volcano. It‘s an interesting series that will has many twists and turns. I recommend checking it out.

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Flóð – flood

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15 Strange Facts About Iceland

Jewells Chambers — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 19:03:46 +0000

Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is full of fascinating and sometimes strange facts. In this podcast episode, I’m sharing 15 surprising facts about this country that you probably have never heard about. I know that I was surprised by many of them when I first heard them, and I hope that you enjoy learning something new about the country.

15 Strange Facts About Iceland

Most of Iceland is uninhabited
Beer was illegal in the country for 74 years
During the month of Þorri, many Icelanders come together to eat the food of their ancestors, including fermented shark, ram’s testicles, sheepshead
24-hour bright days during the summer in Iceland. Here is a great graph of daylight hours in Reykjavik depending on what time of year you plan to visit.
Long winter nights and hardly any daylight
The first day of summer is in April and it is a national holiday
If it weren’t for constant volcanic activity under Iceland that creates new land, the country would split in half
There are over 130 words in Icelandic just to describe the wind
No passenger train in Iceland but there was a train line once for a construction project
No Uber or Lyft type of services in Iceland
No McDonald’s
Iceland won 3 wars against the British called The Cod Wars. You can listen to my episode about the Cod Wars here.
The eruption of Laki in the 1700s resulted in a ton of ash was in the air and spread to many parts of Europe and even Africa! This ash cloud caused the global temperature to drop. Some think that this drop in temperature caused food shortages in France, which helped to ignite the French Revolution.
At the sorcery and witchcraft museum, there is a replica of human skin pants that were said to have been made by sorcerers who wanted to be wealthy.
Only about 10% of the country is covered in Iceland

Icelandic Word of the Episode

Skrítinn – weird or strange

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From a Failed Gold Rush to Hot Tubs: How Icelandic Bathing Culture Evolved

Jewells Chambers — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 00:06:03 +0000

In partnership with the Icelandic Bathing Culture Exhibit hosted at Hönnurnarsafn, the Icelandic Museum for Design and Applied Arts, I’m sharing how Iceland’s beloved bathing culture evolved.

Sund, which is the name of the Icelandic Bathing Exhibit, shares fascinating facts. One of my favorites is that a failed gold rush in Iceland is what led to geothermal energy being pumped to communal swimming pools and people’s homes in the early 1900s.

What to Expect at The Icelandic Bathing Culture Exhibit

The combination of history and interactive stations provides a fun and insightful experience into how Icelanders built pools for survival and hygiene but later evolved the use of them into foster community and well-being.

The bathing culture exhibition is available to check out until October 23^rd, 2022, so I highly recommend putting it on your list of places to visit.

Interviewing the Director of Hönnunarsafn

During my interview for this podcast episode with Sigríður Sigurjónsdóttir, Director of Hönnunarsafn, we talk about why it was important to have this exhibition and other topics relating to Icelandic bathing culture.

Here are some of the questions I asked Sigríður about the Iceland Bathing Culture Exhibition:

Why was it important to create an exhibition about Icelandic bathing culture?
Did anything surprise you while helping to curate the exhibition?
What impact has Icelandic swimming pools had on you personally?
What is your favorite Icelandic word or phrase?

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Interview with April Anderson – Director of the Fire & Iceland Documentary

Jewells Chambers — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 20:00:00 +0000

April Anderson is the Director, editor, and cinematographer of the documentary “Fire & Iceland”, a beautiful collection of the eruption and insight from locals about the impact of the eruption and living on an island with so much volcanic activity.

April and her husband are the creators of www.artasair.com, which showcases various artists and aspect of culture. I recommend checking out their site to see other documentaries and work they have done over the years.

See the “Fire and Iceland” Documentary for Free on March 20th, 2022

To cap off “Eruption Week”, I’m hosting a free watch party of the “Fire & Iceland: Art, Culture & Chasing Lava” documentary on Sunday, March 20^th, 2022 on my YouTube channel. This is a one-time free showing on my channel because I will delete it afterwards. If you want to watch along with me, you must be at the premiere of it.

Normally, you must pay for the documentary, and you can watch it at any time by purchasing it on Vimeo or Prime Video.

To be notified of the time and to get the link, sign up for my newsletter. I will send out the time and link on Friday evening.

Donate to the Icelandic Search & Rescue Team

Since viewing the documentary is being made available for free, if you feel inclined to, you can donate directly to the Icelandic Search and Rescue team. They are a 100% volunteer-led non-profit, non-commercial organization in the country that works tirelessly to help save lives and keep all of us safe. The reason so many of us were able to safely see the eruption is because of them.

If you can donate to their organization, it would be greatly appreciated. The link to donate is to their Paypal account, so they will get the money directly. The link is also here – https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=EKX6MUYPP7AGA&source=url

Questions I asked April During the Interview

Before we jump into the documentary, it is part of the Art as Air project. Can explain a little bit about the Art as Air project?
What inspired you to make the Fire & Iceland documentary about the Geldingadalur eruption that started on March 19^th2021?
There is a guy in the documentary that went to the eruption 67 times. How many times did you go?
Instead of basing the documentary around the volcano itself, there is a much wider focus on Icelandic people and the “volcanic culture”. Different perspectives, like from members of the Icelandic Search & Rescue teams, geologists, artists, even Valur – who is editor in Chief at the Reykjavik Grapevine, is in it, as well as local people. Why was it important to capture that culture here?
What impact did the eruption have on you as a creator and person?
Was there anything in the documentary that surprised as you looked back over footage or while you filmed the interviews?
Do you have any favorite behind the scenes moments while shooting?
What is your favorite Icelandic word or phrase?

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Also, please share this with someone that you think would enjoy it what is coming up for eruption week.

The post Interview with April Anderson – Director of the Fire & Iceland Documentary appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Celebrating the 1 Year Anniversary of Iceland’s Volcanic Eruption

Jewells Chambers — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 21:55:31 +0000

March 19^th, 2022 marks the one year anniversary of the start of the Geldingadalir eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. The eruption lasted six months and, according to scientists, is the longest eruption of this century in Iceland! To commemorate this momentous occasion, I am hosting “Eruption Week” on the All Things Iceland YouTube channel and here on the podcast.

The Eruption Week Schedule

Throughout this week, I will feature interviews that I did with two creators who documented the beauty, power, and impact of the Geldingadalir volcanic eruption. The first interview to be published is with Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove. He is a professional photographer from Belgium that has resided in Iceland since 2016. He recently published a book called “New Earth: A Photographic Journey of the Geldingadalir Eruption.” Not surprisingly, the images in it are stunning. While there is not a lot of text, what he does write is captivating and takes you along on the journey he embarked on to document the volcano during the forty-four visits that he made.

The second interview is with April Anderson. She is the cinematographer, editor, and director of the documentary “Fire & Iceland: Art, Culture & Chasing Lava.” This documentary is visually stunning and gives amazing insight into Icelandic culture and mindset about living on an island with such volatile nature.

See the “Fire and Iceland” Documentary for Free on March 20th, 2022

Normally, you must pay for the documentary, and you can watch it at any time by purchasing it on Vimeo or Prime Video

To be notified of the time and to get the link, sign up for my newsletter. I will send out the time and link on Friday evening.

Donate to the Icelandic Search & Rescue Team

Share this episode

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or rating on whichever platform you are on.

Also, please share this with someone that you think would enjoy it what is coming up for eruption week.

The post Celebrating the 1 Year Anniversary of Iceland’s Volcanic Eruption appeared first on All Things Iceland.

Iceland‘s Most Infamous Criminal Investigation

Jewells Chambers — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 16:23:38 +0000

Tryggvi Rúnar jr is named after his grandfather, who is one of the wrongly accused and convicted individuals in Iceland’s most infamous criminal investigation. In 1974, two men, on separate occasions, went missing and their bodies were never found. The police scrambled to figure out what happened to Guðmundur Einarsson and Geirfinnur Einarsson (not related). I watched the Netflix series Out of Thin Air, which gives more background about what Tryggvi talks about during this interview.

Coercion & Intense Interrogation to Get Confessions

After intense interrogations and mistreatment, including being put in solitary confinement for years, six people confessed and were convicted for kidnapping, killing, and disposing of the bodies of these two men. This was without any forensic evidence or the bodies of these two men. Finally, in 2018 five out of the six falsely convicted people were exonerated.

In this episode, you will hear how Tryggvi Rúnar Jr grew up around his grandfather but was completely unaware of his past as a petty criminal and wrongly convicted person. His experience of his grandfather was only one of a caring, gentle, and giving older man that loved him. Tryggvi, his family, the others convicted and their families, have been fighting the Icelandic justice system for years. As I mentioned earlier, five out of the six were exonerated. While that is great, it took over 40 years for justice, and Erla’s name has still not been cleared.

I think a story like this sheds light on the fact that someone’s past doesn’t have to define how they act in the future. Also, “once a criminal, always a criminal” is a harsh and unfair label that can lock people into a vicious cycle of criminal behavior because they haven’t been able to reintegrate back into society.

The Icelandic Government’s Involvement

The other aspect to this interview that intrigued me to no end is the involvement of the Icelandic government. The current Prime Minister, Katrín Jakóbsdóttir acknowledged there was wrongdoing regarding the case and investigation. However, she has never directly apologized to the families on behalf of the Icelandic government. Tryggvi Rúnar explains this in detail during the interview. Admittingly, I was shocked to hear that because this seems like such a cut and dry thing to do.

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