December 5, 2019
Mesa Goes to the Land of Fire and Ice
By Office of Communications
This summer, when the predictable June cloudiness sets in over San Diego, a group
of adventure-seeking travelers from Mesa College will be heading north to Iceland
– the land of fire and ice. The trip will be co-led by myself, Geology Professor,
Don Barrie, and El Camino College Geography Professor, Matt Ebiner. It will give students
the opportunity to explore the island’s natural wonders while also raising money for
student scholarships at Mesa.
Destination: Iceland. Iceland sits in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, about
650 miles west of Norway. The island has a population of only around 360,000 people,
who reside primarily in and around Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. Iceland’s geography
and warm ocean currents contribute to its relatively moderate climate, and influence
the formation of many of its recognizable landscapes.
Cool geological features: Since the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano
(pronounced “aye-ya-fiat-la-yer-koot-tul”), Iceland has been a popular travel destination
for tourists from around the world. In addition to its volcanos, travelers come to
witness Iceland’s waterfalls, glaciers, hot springs, and geysers, as well as a visible
tectonic plate boundary. Trading their familiar Pacific Coast for one off of the
Atlantic, Mesa students will have the one of a kind opportunity to learn among Iceland’s
many natural attractions.
Lifelong learning: Mesa College’s educational summer trip to Iceland will run from
June 17th to June 26th. The group will travel by bus around Iceland’s Ring Road – a scenic highway that
winds around the island’s perimeter. In addition to Iceland’s natural features, participants
will learn about Icelandic history, culture, and language. For more information,
please contact Professor Don Barrie at dbarrie@sdccd.edu.
Tags: Travel, Don Barrie, Iceland
