Havant HSDC students explore Iceland
A group of students from HSDC’s Havant Campus recently embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Iceland!
The five-day trip saw 23 geology students enrich their education by exploring the sights of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
It was a non-stop adventure, with the students witnessing a Lava Show and exploring a Lava Tunnel just a few hours after stepping off the plane. The Langihellir Lava Tunnel was a particular highlight, being formed by a volcanic eruption over 5,000 years ago. This was a great opportunity for the students to apply their knowledge of geological formations to a real world scenario.
The following day saw the students walk across Sólheimajökull, one of Iceland’s most accessible and beautiful glaciers. The ancient ice was a true wonder to behold, a moving reminder of the power and resilience of nature.
Travelling through Vatnajökull National Park allowed the students to see some of the most incredible natural scenery in the world. They also visited various beautiful waterfalls, including Skógafoss and Gullfoss.
Of course, no trip to Iceland is complete without seeing some of the country’s numerous geysers near the geothermal areas. A trip to Geysir, a geyser formed around 1150 CE, was awe-inspiring as the students got to witness the power of geothermal energy.
The annual trip to Iceland has been one of the highlights of the academic year for Havant’s geology students for the past 13 years. As the only college in the local area to offer an A Level in geology, Havant is exceptionally proud of this course and the opportunities it affords students at HSDC.
Geology student Connie had a fantastic time on the trip, saying: “Visiting Iceland was such an awesome experience, I loved admiring the beautiful landscapes with my friends.”
Ryan Lawson is the course lead for geology at Havant, and accompanied students on the trip. Speaking about the trip, Ryan said: “From collecting some of the newest crust on our planet to driving along the ancient sea floor admiring the towering basalt cliffs of the coastal highway. Iceland never fails to deliver - an awe inspiring geological masterpiece that I will never tire of visiting and sharing with students - ‘til next time old friend.”