Iceland: Field Study of Volcanic and Glacial Processes (Closed)
Iceland
Dates
- Summer 2 Semester - July 5- August 7, 2013
Application Deadline
- Summer 2 Semester - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and program may fill at any time. Final deadline – January 24.
Description
Faculty Leader: Mal Hill (M.hill@neu.edu)
Study Abroad Coordinator: Daisy Biddle (d.biddle@neu.edu)
Courses: ENVR 5201 Geologic Field Seminar and (Course number TBA) Geologic Field Seminar 2
Description:
Iceland’s location on an active plate boundary (the Mid-Atlantic Ridge) and its location near the Arctic Circle makes it a great destination for environmental field study of young lava flows and volcanoes; older, uplifted and more deeply eroded rocks to the east and west sides of the active rifts; and study of both modern and ancient glacial processes. Volcanic landforms and eruption styles differ, depending on whether magma erupts on land, beneath the ice, or flows into water, and we study examples that formed in each environment. Glaciers erode the landscape, transport and deposit sediments, and melt gradually to form rivers (much of Iceland’s electricity derives from hydropower). Sometimes, when lava erupts beneath a glacier, rapid melting of the base of the glacier forms disruptive, magma-induced floods (known as jökulhlaup). In addition to focusing separately on volcanic and glacial processes, we will consider the ways that magma and groundwater interact to create geothermal energy; how magma and glaciers interact; and how Icelandic society is influenced by these and other environmental factors. This is a field-based experience, and most days involve some or much hiking to get to and from the study area for that day. We spend most nights in tents in campgrounds, and Iceland is known for having occasionally windy and rainy weather. Interested students can contact Mal Hill (m.hill@neu.edu) in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences for additional information.
Courses
- ENVR 5201 Geologic Field Seminar
- (Course number TBA) Geologic Field Seminar 2
Eligibility Requirements
Minimum 2.5 GPA. Students with some Environmental Science course background preferred, but an interest in learning about volcanism, glaciers and their impacts on Iceland’s society are of primary importance. I have taken students without formal science training in the past and it can work well. We stay primarily in campgrounds and most days involve studying features that require hiking away from the bus, so this is a better program for people who enjoy being outdoors, as opposed to people who do not.
Application Procedure
- Online Dialogue of Civilizations application (available on OISP website)
- Unofficial transcript which you can download and print from MyNEU
- One copy of passport ID page – To be given directly to your faculty leader after acceptance.
- 2-3 page essay answering the following questions:
- What are your personal and academic reasons for wishing to participate in this Dialogue of Civilizations program?
- How will the program further your academic and career goals?
- What is your previous travel and language experience, if any?
- What courses have you taken which are directly relevant to the program?
**Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)
**Please note that prior to 11/15/12 your unofficial transcript and essay should be handed in to OISP. After 11/15/12, please send them directly to your faculty leader
Cost
Tuition: $9,830
DOC Fee:$2,000
Tuition and DOC Fee cover 8 Northeastern credits, round-trip airfare from Boston, housing for program duration, International SOS assistance, as well as some local transport, excursions and group meals.
Accommodations
We stay primarily at campgrounds on most nights; usually we are able to arrange rooms in a college dormitory for a few nights, and those are sleeping-bag accommodation rooms. Students do not have to carry expedition-style camping gear – the bus will deliver us very close to where we’ll set up on each of our camp moves.
Destination
- Reykjavik – campground at Laugarvegur near the city center, base camp for field study in the active volcanic belt on the Reykjanes Peninsula at the beginning, and again at the end of the study.
- Stykkisholmur – campground on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula – west coast of Iceland, volcanic processes
- Kerlingarfjoll Range – campground in the interior desert, rhyolite volcanic activity
- Holar College – dormitory accommodation in north Iceland, glacially eroded older lavas, coastal geology, environmental geology
- Myvatn – campground in the active volcanic zone – Krafla caldera, Dettifoss
- Egilsstadir – campground in east Iceland – East Fjords glacial erosion and coastal geology
- Hofn – campground or hostel accommodation – glacier study
- Skaftafell National Park – campground, glacier study
- Skogar – campground, glacier/volcano study
- Back to Reykjavik campground