20.06.2010

TUESDAY WALK WITH A GEOLOGIST ON JUNE 22ND

This weeks Tuesday walk will be led by Geologist Ásta Þorleifsdóttir. The guided tour is in Icelandic.

Two million years ago Viðey was an active volcano, which is known as the Viðey volcano, and the rock of Viðey island is the oldest in the Reykjavík area. At the end of the last Ice Age, 12–13,000 years ago, the sea level rose due to the melting of the glacial ice, and the island was inundated. When the sea level dropped, the island rose once more from the sea 9–10,000 years ago.
Viðey island is about 1.6 km in total area, comprising Heimaey (Home Island) and Vesturey (West Island), which are linked by a narrow neck of land or isthmus, Eiðið. The easternmost part of Heimaey is known as Austurey (East Island). Spectacular rock formations can be seen along the shore of the island, as well as on Virkishöfði (Battlement Headland) and Eiðisbjarg. The island is constantly being eroded by the forces of the sea, and this is especially clearly seen at Kríusandur and Þórsnes.

Viðeyjarstofa Café is open Thuesday nigths, all other days of the week it closes at 17:00. This makes Tuesdays perfect for visiting Viðey Island, enjoy a lovely light meal and have a walk around the island in the midnight sun. Extra boat trips on Tuesdays are at 18:15 and 19:15 and the boat goes back at around 22:00.

Prices for the boat are isk.1000.- for adults, isk.500 for children 6-18 and its free of charge for the youngest ones.