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Around the Golden Circle<\/h1>\n
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By Julie Marinelli<\/p>\n
New Britain, CT, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Iceland’s<\/strong>\u00a0landscape holds dramatic features in a concentration seen nowhere else on earth. You can find active volcanoes, glaciers, and a valley where the country is literally being pulled apart. A one-day drive along the roads known collectively as the Golden Circle will show you why this country is called the\u00a0Land of Fire and Ice.<\/em> You\u2019ll see\u00a0powerful waterfalls, a national park, and Geysir, the place that gave its name to modern geysers everywhere.<\/p>\n The route starts in the capital city of Reykjavik then heads toward the center of the island. It loops around to bring you, 155 miles (250 kilometers) later, back to where you started. The Golden Circle gets its name in part from a waterfall along the way called Gullfoss, meaning “golden falls.”<\/em><\/p>\n First, Some History<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n If you chose to go directly east, your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a location 28 miles away that carries significant historical and geological value. It was the first national park in Iceland, created to preserve the site of the country\u2019s first parliament, which was founded in 930 CE. Iceland is one of two countries that hold the record for the world\u2019s oldest surviving parliament. Thingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main geological attraction is the rift where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are moving apart at a rate of two centimeters per year.<\/p>\n Geysers in Geysir<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Your next stop is Geysir geothermal field. Located in a volcanic zone, numerous hot springs fill the air with steam and sulfur. Here the Great Geysir lies dormant. However, only 300 feet (ft.) away, the Strokkur geyser erupts every 5 to 10 minutes. This one can blow water up to 65 ft. in the air! Because the soil contains sulfur, copper and iron, you\u2019ll see patches of ground in vivid shades of yellow, green, and red.<\/p>\n Halfway Point<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Driving a little farther north, you\u2019ll come to the Gullfoss waterfall. The most famous one in Iceland, it flows from the country\u2019s second largest glacier. The waterfall has two large steps (dropping 36 and 71 ft.) and falls into a 105-ft. crevice. It is so powerful that you can feel the mist and rumbling from the observation point.<\/p>\n Geothermal Greenhouse<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Hungry for lunch yet? Head south to Fridheimar Greenhouse. Don\u2019t let the cold fool you, because underneath your feet is an abundant supply of geothermal energy. The naturally occurring hot water is used to heat greenhouses where tomatoes grow year round. The greenhouse restaurant will serve you all things tomato: soup, ravioli with tomato sauce, and tomato and mozzarella tortillas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One Final Sight<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The final leg of the trip takes you to Kerid volcanic crater. What was once a cone-shaped volcano collapsed into a crater after a violent eruption 3,000 years ago. At 180 ft. in depth, the relatively young age of the crater means it has vivid red sides. The lake contained within the crater is a stunning blue due to mineral deposits. Take some time to appreciate this incredible geological site before heading back to Reykjavik.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve spent a day sampling Iceland\u2019s unusual beauty, you\u2019ll undoubtedly want to see more. Luckily for you, an even longer road encircles the entire island. Pack up and get ready for 828 miles of fascinating scenery along Iceland\u2019s Ring Road!<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Geysir.jpg” alt=”inflating the balloon” title_text=”Geysir” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Gulfoss.jpg” alt=”hot air balloon in the sky” title_text=”Gullfoss waterfall – Iceland – Travel photography” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activity:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Questions” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n In the early 1900s, a farmer owned the land surrounding Gullfoss. Investors offered to buy it from him and turn the waterfall into a hydroelectric plant. Instead, the farmer\u2019s daughter fought to preserve the waterfall. It eventually became the property of the Icelandic people in 1929, ensuring its conservation.<\/p>\n If the waterfall had become a hydroelectric plant, some estimates say it could have produced 2,444 gigawatt hours per year. For reference, one gigawatt can illuminate 100 million LED lights. According to Orkustofnun, Iceland\u2019s National Energy Authority, the country\u2019s total energy consumption totals about 18,000 gigawatt hours per year. Which of these choices do you think would benefit the Icelandic people more? Why?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/29293155702_7ed099f838_k-1.jpg\")
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