GEO.Icelandic earth science resources

Overview
The complete beginner´s introduction to Iceland´s dynamic geology . Includes interactive map of Iceland showing main features and pictures.
Icelandic earth science links - Dewey classified links relating to Icelandic earth science.
News sources and journals. - bibliography and contact addresses for Icelandic earth science news sources.
Other useful links - institutions in Iceland concerned with earth science and general links of interest.

Dewey classified Icelandic Earth Science Links
guidance

updated: 14.09.2000

Choose main class or subclass from the following. The most relevant are in heavy print.

360 Social services, associations|500Natural sciences|520Astronomy and allied sciences|530Physics|540Chemistry and allied sciences|550Earth sciences|560Paleontology|570Life sciences|580Plants|590Animals|600Technology|620Engineering and allied sciences|660Chemical engineering|900Geography. History.

last update:14.09.2000

360 Social services, associations

• 363 Other social problems & services
  
  • 363.7 Environmental problems
    Desertification in Iceland (RALA) - Soil Erosion and desertification is a major environmental issue in Iceland. These web pages explain: Research and Assessment Program. Degradation of Icelandic Ecosystems. Icelandic Soils and Soil Erosion. Soil Conservation and Reclamation. Soil Erosion In Iceland - Results. Landuse and Degradation

    Effect of Diatomite Mining (Mývatn Research Station) - Includes pages on: What is diatomite? What is it used for? How is it mined? Who ownes the factory? Impact on birds. Impact on ground water. Impact on vegetation. Impact on food chain. Impact on landscape. Emission. The Future.

Er jörðinn að hitna? (Águst H Bjarnason, RT hf) - very well written account (both English and Icelandic versions) of connection between climatic change and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, treated in a critical way and with reference to other theories. Many good links provided.

íslenski umhverfisvefurinn - Umhverfismál Íslendinga á Netinu ( Albert Sigurðsson ) - good collection of environmental links relating to Icelandic issues. (ísl. innihald:almennt um umhverfismál, nokkur veigamikil umhverfismál, stofnanir, fyrirtæki og samtök, umhverfisréttur, opinberar umhverfisstefnur, skipulags- og byggðamál, annað sem tengist umhverfismálum.

Ministry for the Environment in Iceland
English version
íslenska

National Energy Auhority of Iceland - Energy Resources Division - Not much at present, but gives information on the responsibilities.  See also: The Energy Statistics and Analysis Division  and Energy legislation  for further information which may help you with environmental issues.

Vefsíður um Náttúruvernd (Sigrún Helgadóttir og fl. KHÍ) - in Icelandic - includes chapter on "Hvernig verndum við náttúruna?" 

Veðurstofa Íslands - Jarðeðlisfræðideild - the geophysics department covers monitoring in several fields of earth science including ozone levels above Reykjavík.

Þekking, vernd og nýting hálendis Íslands (Ríkisútvarpið) - web about issues in landuse and protection arising from a conference(Jan 1999) organised by the Conservation organisation (Landvernd)

• 363.73 Pollution

500 Natural sciences and mathematics
see also:the complete 500 links
or just try: GEO.search

 

Mývatn Research Station (HÍ) - A major source of information about the Natural History and Conservation of the Mývatn area. Includes information and explanation of the major research projects which cover most aspects of natural history. See 363.7 for specific environmental aspects.

Science Institute of Iceland - many research projects are related to the earth sciences and geophysics.

• 503 Dictionaries and encyclopedias

  

520 Astronomy and allied sciences
see also:the complete 520 links
or just try: GEO.search

 

Stjörnuskoðunarfélag Seltjarnarness ( Amateur Astronomical Society of Seltjarnarnes, situation: Reykjavík) - English vers. Well maintained and up to date web site. Gives general astronomical information on a number of topics reflecting members´ interests, as well as local observations using the society´s own telescopes. Some quality images and data are also provided by members using their own equipment.

• 521 Celestial mechanics
  
  • 521.3 Orbits

  

• 522 Techniques, equipment, materials
  
• 523 Specific celestial bodies & phenomena
  
  • 523.3 The Moon
    
  • 523.4 Planets

  

• 524
  
• 525 Earth (Astronomical geography)
  
• 526 Mathematical geography
  Interferometric results over the Vatnajökull glacier after the seismic activity. Based on ERS-1 and ERS-2 measurements. Digital models of Vatnajökull topography. Includes spectacular 3-D perspective view.
• 527 Celestial navigation
  
• 528 Ephemerides
  
• 529 Chronology

  

530 Physics
see also:the complete 530 links
or just try: GEO.search

Veðurstofa Íslands - Jarðeðlisfræðideild - the geophysics department covers monitoring in several fields of earth science relevant to a spreading ocean ridge scenario including: seismic, strain measurements, GPS and gravity.  The department also monitors ozone levels above Reykjavík.

540 Chemistry and allied sciences
see also:the complete 540 links
or just try: GEO.search

550 Earth sciences
see also:the complete 550 links
or just try: GEO.search

JASON VIII- Journey From the Center of the Earth. JASON foundation for education project comparing the environments of Iceland and Yellowstone Nat. Park. Tends to be more for primary than secondary level, but still useful.
Gravity model studies of the volcanic island Surtsey, Iceland ( Þröstur Þorsteinsson & Magnús T Guðmundsson, Department of Physics, University of Iceland, hosted at Univ. of  Washington Geophysics) - text and image on-line account of geophysical research.  Includes general geological and other information.
National Energy Authority of Iceland - Geoscience Division - Research on energy resources in Iceland has a long history, going back to the 18th century. Since 1944, systematic energy research has been carried out by Icelandic government institutes.   These web pages give information on the main services provided by the NEA.   You won´t find much scientific information, but it´s a place to start and should provide some contacts and indicate what the amin areas of interest are.
Vefbókasafnið (earth science) - joint project of several public libraries in Iceland, which concentrates on collecting links in the Icelandic language.

• 551 Geology, hydrology, meteorology
  Virtual field trips - Iceland (G R Douglas) - a collection of virtual field trips intended for students at Hamrahlíð College, Reykjavík, Iceland.. Arranged geographically by choosing from an interactive client-side geological map.  
  Volcano Tours-field trips in Iceland (Volcano Tours, Rhode Is. USA) - descriptions of areas to be visited in a planned Icelandic "volcano tour holiday".
  Thingvellir Geology (Volcano Tours, Rhode Is USA) - brief text account of Þingvellir´s geology in connection with planned "volcano holiday".

  

   

  • 551.1 Gross structure and properties of the earth
    Understanding plate motions (USGS) - general account of plate margins and movement. Some specific information on Iceland under diverging plate margins. Good illustrations-maps, diagrams and photos.
    
  • 551.2 Volcanoes, earthquakes, thermal waters and gases
    Eruption in Bárðarbunga-Grímsvötn, Vatnajökull-(Science Institute Univ. of Iceland) - account of the 1996 and 1998 eruptions.
    Fréttir af Mýrdals- og Eyjafjallajökli (VÍ-jarðeðlissvið) - links to websites dealing with measurements on Mýrdalsjokull which could give information useful in forecasting Katla eruptions. These include earthquake monitoring (VÍ), GPS measurements (RHÍ), ratsjámælingar (RHÍ) and water discharge measurements (OS).
    Jarðeðlissvið - fréttir af skjálftahrinu á Suðvesturlandi í júní 2000. (VÍ) - measurements related to two major earthquakes on 17. 06 and 21.06.2000.
    Hamfarir-eldfjöll (in Icelandic, Nemendaverkefni MS) - Icelandic volcanoes which have had effects on human life. Short accounts with pictures.
    National Energy Authority of Iceland - Geothermal Training Programme - The most interesting pages to the high school student will probably be the "Yearbook" pages, where you can find projects listed by year and topic.
    RIDGE/NORDVULK Summer school field trips - field trips organised by NVI, Reykjavík 1996 - Askja, interior, Krafla, Mývatn-Tjörnes. Maps and text explanation. Concise, accurate and useful.
    Subglacial eruption in Vatnajökull- The Nordic Volcanological Institute, Reykjavík. General account and day to day reports on the 1996 eruption (30/09-13/10 1996). Comprehensive information on both the eruption and the background geology.
    The Vatnajökull Eruption in Southern Iceland- very good satellite images and explanations of the 1996 eruption. This page represents part of the doctoral work of Bettina Müschen mueschen@dfd.dlr.de and Christoph Böhm boehm@dfd.dlr.de being undertaken at DFD.

  

   

  The Vatnajökull eruption and Jökulhlaup- a good collection of links dealing with the volcanic eruption that began underneath Vatnajökull in 1996. The emphasis is on quality photographs. The page is part of the Homepage of Ed Jackson, Dept. of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Univ. of Alberta.
  The role of geothermal energy in the world - article by Ingvar B. Fridleifsson, United Nations University Geothermal Training Programme, Reykjavik, Iceland. In Geo-heat Center Quarterly Bulletin, A Quarterly Progress and Development Report on the Direct Utilization of Geothermal Resources. Contains comparitive information including Iceland. December 27, 1996.
  The Dec. 18 - Dec. 28, 1998 Grímsvötn eruption (Science Institute, University of Iceland.) - reliable scientific summary based on Science Institute research.
  Surtsey-Text about the geology and research on stratigraphy- Surtsey is at 63 18'13'' latitude and 20 35'35'' longitude, approximately 20 km southwest of the island Heimaey. In 1985 it was only 2.1 km in N-S direction and 1.5 km in E-W. Surtsey formed in a submarine eruption that probably started...
  Vatnajokull (Iceland) October '96 - ERS-2 (European Space Agency) satellite images of Vatnajökull before and after the eruption

   

  

   

   

  
  

  • 551.21 Volcanoes
    Icelandic volcanoes- descriptions of important Icelandic volcanoes collected from various web sites - WWV (gsfc).
    Hekla (Nordic Volc. Research Inst) - picture and summary of the geology of the central volcano Hekla, from the Nordic Volcanological Research Institute, Reykjavík Iceland. Hekla has been one of the most active central volcanoes in Historical time.

  

   

  Krafla (Nordic Volc. Research Inst) - picture and summary of the geology of the central volcano Krafla, from the Nordic Volcanological Research Institute, Reykjavík Iceland. Krafla is situated in an area of the active volcanic zone where spreading and volcanism have been taking place for the past 20 years.
  Tephrabase (Univ. of Edinburgh, UK) - information about tephrachronology in general and specific information on Icelandic tephra layers in Scotland.
  Volcanoes of Iceland and the Arctic Ocean (GVP Smithsonian Institute) - geographical listing of Holocene volcanoes. Only Grímsvötn and Jan Mayen at present (nov.97). The reports are essentially on current activity, rather than being overall scientific results.
  Volcanic eruption on Heimaey (Vestmannaeyjar) - Summary of the main events and general chronology of the 1973 eruption. Some photographs.

  

  • 551.22 Earthquakes
    Meteorological Office - Geophysics Department- they maintain a seismological network in Iceland.
    skjálfti- a database of earthquake epicentres in Iceland in map form. This is a student project at The Computer Uni. (TVÍ), under Freyr Þórarinsson.
    Weekly earthquake report (Icelandic Met Office Geophysics Dept.) - weekly seismological activity. Map of Iceland shows epicenters.
    Veðurstofa Íslands - Jarðeðlisfræðideild - the geophysics department covers monitoring in several fields of earth science relevant to a spreading ocean ridge scenario including: seismic, strain measurements, GPS and gravity.

  

  • 551.3 Surface and exogenous processes and their agents
    
  • 551.4 Geomorphology and hydrosphere
    Soil erosion in Iceland (RALA) - summary results of mapping of soil erosion in Iceland. Good maps.
    • 551.46 Hydrosphere Oceanography
      North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean ( Part of the DeRidge initiative - this section maintained by Dr. Colin Devey at the Geologisch-Paläontologisches Institut, Kiel) - summary articles with further references. Deals with geophysics, petrology, geothermal activity. Mainly text, but shortness of articles and up to dateness could make it a worthwhile site for students.
  • 551.5 Meteorology
    Er jörðinn að hitna? (Ágúst H Bjarnason, RT hf) - "Mikið hefur verið rætt undanfarið um svokölluð gróðurhúsaáhrif. Því hefur verið haldið fram að greinileg merki þess að jörðin sé farin að hitna megi m.a. sjá af veðurfarsmælingum yfir langt tímabil og hopi jökla. Vissulega stafar þetta að hluta af aukningu koltvísýrings (CO2, kolsýru, koltvíoxíðs, koltvíildis) í andrúmsloftinu, en er þetta eina skýringin?" (höfundur). Frábært! (G D)

     

  

• 552 Petrology
  
• 553 Economic geology
  International Geothermal Association - information on Icelandic geothermal power projects. Concise and informative report with statistics on utilization.
• 554 Earth sciences of Europe
  
• 555 Earth sciences of Asia
  
• 556 Earth sciences of Africa
  
• 557 Earth sciences of North America
  
• 558 Earth sciences of South America
  
• 559 Earth sciences of other areas

  

560 Paleontology and paleozoology
see also:the complete 560 links
or just try: GEO.search

570 Life sciences and Biology
see also:the complete 570 links
or just try: GEO.search

New life on SurtseyScientists and researchers returning from a five-day expedition to the volcanic island of Surtsey off... Short newstext on research expedition, biology and geology

580 Plants
see also:the complete 580 links
or just try: GEO.search

590 Animals
see also:the complete 590 links
or just try: GEO.search

600 Technology (Applied sciences)
see also:the complete 600 links
or just try: GEO.search

The Technological Institute of Iceland - mainly concerned with:production-, material-, environmental-, chemical-, bio-, and foodtechnology.

620 Engineering and allied operations
see also:the complete 620 links
or just try: GEO.search

660 Chemical engineering
see also:the complete 660 links
or just try: GEO.search

900 Geography, History.

• 912 Cartography
  GÍSLand - geographic information system (marin@rhi.hi.is University of Iceland) - detailed map based Web GIS for Iceland (and other northern countries).  Uses Java extensively, so you have to wait.  However, the wait is worth it, for the detailed interactive information.
• Icelandic Geodetic Survey (Landmælingar Íslands) - provides map coverage of the country: topographic, geological, vegetation etc. Also provides good aerial photographic coverage, some very recent.
  
  

see also:the complete 900 links
or just try: GEO.search

These pages maintained by Dr Georg R Douglas, Hamrahlíð College, 105 Reykjavík, Iceland.