Iceland has a stunning landscape with glaciers galore … but is more properly fire island. Lava, earthquakes eruptions and volcanoes dominate life and world headlines.
Around Christmas 2023, an eruption forced people from their homes in the fishing port of Grindavik. One year and six eruptions later – the townspeople are back. But another eruption nearby is spewing lava into the car park of the famous Blue Lagoon. By the time you hear this podcast, that eruption could be over… or much worse.
Yet despite all the risk and uncertainty, many Icelanders would say they live here because of their volcanoes not despite them. Why? That’s what this podcast is all about.
Credits
Thanks to Easyjet for flights – direct to Reykjavik each weekday from Edinburgh.
Accommodation in Reykjavik was kindly provided by podcast listener Scott Riddell.
Big thanks also to interviewees –
Laufey Sif Lárusdóttir who runs a pizzeria and
Ölverk brewery using geothermal steam in Hveragerði with husband Elvar. She's also mum to three small boys. Respect.
Páll Zóphóníasson was once Mayor of Heimaey (main town on Westman Islands) and town engineer at the time of the
1973 eruption. Tax office staff, Jóhanna Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir and Ròsa Sveinsdòttir were just children back then.
Kári Valgeirsson is Science Communicator at the
Hellisheiði power plant – one of the largest single-site geothermal power plants on the planet. Daily tours available.
Thanks also to Limma and Gudrun Hannesdottir,
Researched, recorded and produced by Lesley Riddoch
Edited by Pat Joyce
What is Nordic Horizons?
How do the Nordic nations consistently top international league tables?
Between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland they are the world's best democracy, the best place to be a woman, the best educated people and the happiest. They regularly top UNICEF's child wellbeing index, lead on the Green Transition and have an enduring emphasis on equality that's the envy of the world.
Nordic Horizons is a Scottish-based group that's been interested in learning more from our nearest European neighbours since devolved government resumed 20+ years ago. We've invited experts over to speak in the Scottish Parliament on Norwegian outdoor kindergarten, Finnish prison reform, Swedish electoral systems, Iceland's crowd-sourced constitution and Copenhagen's claim to be the world's first eco metropolis. Since the pandemic, our events have gone online - but all were recorded and will now be available - updated and edited - via this podcast on a monthly basis.