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Tag: Iceland

Icelandic Arctic Policy under development
Althing, the Icelandic parliament is now developing an Arctic policy for the Icelandic government. The work is being conducted under the management of the Icelandic foreign minister Össur Skarphéðinsson. Icelandic authorities are becoming aware of the state’s significant status within the Arctic and regional cooperation and have thus decided that a declared policy is needed for the Icelandic state to have impact on future developments in the area. The main aim of the policy is to secure Icelandic interests within the region and strengthen relations with other Arctic states and various stakeholders.

One significant political aspect can be found in the proposed policy, namely to make sure Iceland is considered to be an Arctic coastal state. This is thought to be important in order to reverse the recent development of the Arctic five meetings. Icelandic authorities do not welcome any deliberate undermining of the Arctic Council as the forum for regional cooperation on Arctic matters and would rather want the Council to be strengthened. In addition to this political view, the Icelandic government wants international obligations and agreements to be observed in decision-making and settlements of disputes.

In discussions on the proposed Arctic policy in the Althing, some concerns have been raised regarding the Arctic five meetings and there does seem to be a general view within the parliament that this development should be obstructed as possible. However, the clear will of the Icelandic government to secure the state’s spot as an Arctic coastal state seems to imply that such “Arctic six” meetings could be more welcomed with Iceland on board. In reality, this deliberation is rather improbable as the Icelandic government is keen on prevent the exile of small state actors such as the Faroe Islands and the non-Arctic coastal states within the Arctic Council, Finland and Sweden.

Another significant aspect of the proposed Icelandic Arctic policy is react against armament in the Arctic region has been raised in the parliament. This point has been discussed to a certain degree in the Althing, where the foreign minister has tried to water down the concerns of direct military confrontation or severe armament. The third significant political aspect of the discussions in the Althing about the policy is the EU negotiation phase and the outcome in Arctic matters for the European Union. Some concerns have been raised that the argument for Iceland as an Arctic coastal state is meant to secure the interests of the EU instead those of Iceland specifically. Even though this concern might be a bit farfetched, it was officially declared by the EU that Arctic matters were the primary gain for the EU with the membership of Iceland.

The Icelandic Arctic policy will consist of eleven general elements that together represent the main concerns of Icelandic authorities, in addition to interests that will be pursued. There are no big surprises in the proposed policy, with the development of Iceland’s status as an Arctic costal state as the exception. The focus of Icelandic government on the rights of indigenous peoples and other inhabitants of the Arctic is, however, also a significant attribute that could be seen as unusual.

The eleven elements of the proposed Arctic policy of the Icelandic government are as follows:
1. Secure the status of Iceland as an Arctic coastal state regarding decisions on Arctic issues. This will be based on the geographical, economic and ecological reasons.
2. Increase global understanding on that the Arctic region is not restricted to the area north of the Arctic Circle, but other areas based on various ecological, economic and geopolitical reasons.
3. Strengthen the Arctic Council as the main cooperative body on Arctic issues and press for decisions to be made within the Council.
4. Build on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea which sets out the universal principles of marine governance.
5. Strengthen and increase cooperation with the Faroe Islands and Greenland with the aim of increasing the economic and political status of the three states.
6. Secure and support the rights of indigenous peoples in the Arctic and secure their involvement in decision making.
7. Build on international agreements and encourage cooperation with other states and stakeholders on Arctic issues regarding Icelandic interests in the Arctic.
8. Safeguard civil security interest in the Arctic and react against armament in the area. Increase cooperation with other states on preservation of wildlife, research, and preparedness in surveillance, search and rescue and pollution prevention in order to secure environmental, communal and sustainable development interests.
9. Develop commercial cooperation between Arctic states and secure Icelandic opportunities in economic development within the region.
10. Increase national knowledge on Arctic issues and introduce Iceland as a forum for conferences, meetings and discussions on Arctic issues. Effort shall be made to establish centers, research institutes and educational institutions on Arctic affairs in cooperation with other states and international institutions.
11. Increase national consultation and cooperation on Arctic issues to secure increased knowledge on the status of the Arctic, democratic dialogue and solidarity on the implementation of the official Arctic policy. The foreign minister shall develop and implement the Arctic policy in consultation with the Althing’s committees on foreign affairs and environment.
No major changes are expected to be made on the eleven elements mentioned above. A few might, however, become more precise in order to make implementation easier. The implementation of the policy and the making of an Arctic strategy will be initiated after the proposed Arctic Policy has been developed. The proposed Arctic strategy will most likely be finalized in early summer of 2011.
March 23, 2011
Anti whaling campaign against Iceland

A website has been launched where tourists are encouraged to boycott Iceland as their vacation destination due to the country’s whaling policy. Iceland is among other nations, such as Canada, Norway, Japan and the United States that carry out whaling. The website “rescuethewhales.org” maintains that Iceland is whaling endangered species. The misunderstanding might arrive from the hunt of fin whales in Icelandic and adjacent waters. According to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) fin whales are endangered in the Southern Hemisphere but not in the North Atlantic Ocean. Assessments of the population status in the central North Atlantic and off West Greenland have shown populations to be in a healthy state.

The aim of the group behind the website, rescuethewhales.org is to damage Icelandic economy by appealing to the public not to visit the country and therefore try to undermine its tourism. It is stated in the website that Iceland is a small country where the economy is small and dependent on few large industries, such as tourism. Icelandic economy is similar to other small economies within the Arctic region, being dependent on natural resources and increasingly on tourism. Actions based in many occasions on emotions, as mentioned at the website, rescuethewhales.org could therefore have severe consequences to economies such as Iceland.

According to the Icelandic fisheries portal, at least 12 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises occur regularly in Icelandic waters and 11 other have been recorded more sporadically. Out of those 23 species that are recorded around Iceland, two are scientifically assessed and annual catch recommendations based on that, fin whale and minke whale. The Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture considers whaling as sustainable and the Icelandic whaling policy is based on precautionary approach. This means that the whale stocks benefit of the doubt. In context with whaling, a quota is issued where number of whales captured does not exceed future sustainable development of the stock.

The Icelandic Marine Research Institute, in collaboration with the North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO) and the IWC estimates that the stock of fin whale around Jan Mayen, Greenland and Iceland is from 21.000 – 24.000 animals. On the basis of the assessment conducted within the Scientific Committees of the IWC and NAMMCO, the Icelandic Marine Research Institute recommended annual catches of up to 150 fin whales as sustainable and precautionary. The catch can go up to 200 animals if adjacent waters in East of Greenland and Jan Mayen are taken into consideration.

As reported by the Icelandic Marine Research Institution, the minke whale stock around Iceland is considered to be close to pre-exploitation abundance, and historic catches were not thought to have affected the stock appreciably. An aerial survey conducted in coastal Icelandic waters in 2007 showed lower abundance estimates than previous surveys, or 10 700 and 15 100, depending on the method of analysis. A survey conducted in 2008 showed much higher densities, indicating that the unusually low densities in 2007 were due to a temporary shift in distribution within the population area. Based on a stock assessments conducted by the Scientific Committees of NAMMCO and the IWC, it was recommend by the Icelandic Marine Research Institute that annual catches of common minke whales from the Central North Atlantic stock do not exceed 216 animals in the Icelandic continental shelf area.

The Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture followed the scientific recommendations of the Marine Research Institute and issued annual quota for 2009 – 2014 of 200 fin whales and 200 minke whales. However, in the last two years Icelandic whalers whaled less than 400 animals, meaning that the maximum quota was not reach. As published on the web of the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture, the country has conducted responsible harvest of marine creatures for years and aims to continue to do, for it is known that the country needs to rely on its renewable marine resources.

The issue of whaling is highly sensitive matter. The discourse, however, should be about responsible and sustainable harvesting of living resources, where current utilization does not threat future development and growth of those resources. Sustainable use of North-Atlantic renewable marine resources and harvest of whales and other species is an important issue and should be applied whenever possible.

The aim of the anti whaling campaign against Iceland is to damage its economy by appealing to people to boycott Iceland as a travel destination. Whaling is a sensitive issue where advocates portray their views. However some mistakes are sometimes made, as with the rescuethewhales.org campaign. Their logos state that Iceland whales endangered species, which is incorrect. Another mistake is to use humpback whales in the logo to the right. Humpback whales are preserved in Iceland, as in Alaska where the photo is taken.

Sources and further information:

International Whaling Commission

North Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission

Icelandic Marine Research Institute

Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

Fisheries.is

January 7, 2011
Tourists encouraged boycotting Iceland due to its whaling policy.

A website has been launched where tourists are encouraged to boycott Iceland as their vacation destination due to the country’s whaling policy.

Iceland is among other nations, such as Canada, Norway, Japan and the United States that carry out whaling. The website “rescuethewhales.org” maintains that Iceland is whaling endangered species. The misunderstanding might arrive from the hunt of fin whales in Icelandic and adjacent waters. According to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) fin whales are endangered in the Southern Hemisphere but not in the North Atlantic Ocean. Assessments of the population status in the central North Atlantic and off West Greenland have shown populations to be in a healthy state.

The aim of the group behind the website, rescuethewhales.org is to damage Icelandic economy by appealing to the public not to visit the country and therefore try to undermine its tourism. It is stated in the website that Iceland is a small country where the economy is small and dependent on few large industries, such as tourism. Icelandic economy is similar to other small economies within the Arctic region, being dependent on natural resources and increasingly on tourism. Actions based in many occasions on emotions, as mentioned at the website, rescuethewhales.org could therefore have severe consequences to economies such as Iceland.

Further information and resources in the Feature of the week “Anti whaling campaign against Iceland“

January 5, 2011
Day of the North: The Nordic House
Tomorrow the 10^thof November the Nordic house in Iceland will host a series of lectures about Northern issues. The event focuses on the monitoring of environment and society and will include many very interesting lectures and topics. The Arctic Portal will be streaming the event live on the Arctic Portal. The broadcast will start tomorrow morning at 09:00 GMT.

09:00-09:15
- Address by Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, Chairman of the Icelandic cooperation board on Northern issues.
- Address by Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Icelandic Minister for the Environment.
- 09:15-09:45 Tom Barry, CAFF: Introduction to the Arctic Council and it’s working group on Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF).
- 09:45-10:15 Hans H. Hansen, Environmental Agency: Risk assessment map of the North Atlantic, relevant to co-ordinated reaction strategy to environmental accidents.
Coffee Break
- 10:30 Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir, University of Iceland: Sea Ice studies and monitoring in the North.
- 11:00-11:30 Árni Einarsson, Natural research center Mývatn Iceland: Þingeyingar for a thousand years.
- 11:30-12:00 Starri Heiðmarsson, The Icelandic Institute of Natural History: Esja mountains and the glacier Breiðarmerkurjökull.
Lunch Break
- 12:50 Oddur Vilhelmsson, University of Akureyri: The Microbiology flora in Glerár river- a practical model for monitoring on environmental implications due to climate and pollution in the North or not?
- 13:20- 13:50 Embla Eir Oddsdóttir, Stefansson Arctic Institute: The advance toward the North, risk, safety and adaption of coastal towns due to climate change and increased shipping in the North.
14:00-15:00 Round Table discussion:

The status of research, monitoring and international cooperation in the North

Discussion moderator: Kristján Kristjánsson, University of Reykjavík

Participants:
- Guðrún Nína Petersen, Icelandic Met Office
- Hallgrímur Jónasson, The Icelandic Center for Research (Rannis)
- Ragnheiður E. Þorsteinsdóttir, Minestry of foreign affairs
- Helgi Jensson, The Environment Agency of Iceland
- Níels Einarsson, Stefanson Arctic Institute
- Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir, University of Iceland
15:00-16:00 Memorial lecture on Vilhjálmur Stefánsson, The Arctic Explorer

Professor Þóra Ellen Þórhallsdóttir

The event will cover many of the most exciting topics within the Arctic region, the broadcast can be seen on the Arctic Portal front-page or by following this link
November 9, 2010
Volcanic Eruption in Iceland

Update: 26.05.10

Volcanic eruption stopped

All appears that the volcanic Eruption in Eyjafjallajökull has stopped. No activity has been in the volcano over the last few days and there is hope that the activity has stopped. No news have been reported of ash and only minor seismic (earthquakes) unrest has been noted. However, the volcanic eruption has not formally been declared over and there is still a risk of mud flooding from the glacier.

Even though the volcanic activity has stopped, there is a chance that this period might be minor stop, as happened when the eruption at Fimmvörðuháls stopped and Eyjafjallajökull began. In between there was only short time where there was no activity. However, it is hoped that the volcanic activity will formally come to an end over the next few days.

This is a great relive for local farmers in the vicinity of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, since livestock has to be kept inside due to ash fall. However, there is a great deal of ash on hayfields and other grazing sites which is harmful to livestock. Strong winds in the south are blowing and spreading out the ash, which helps cleaning. Farmers wish though for heavy rains, for the water spreads out the ash better than the wind and are of a less disturbance than the wind.

A period of reform is now at hand for the people that are neighboring the volcano. Ash has created a lot of trouble but it is hoped that will end and farmers can grow their hayfields and herd their sheep to the highlands for grazing.

The positive effect is that the ash carries a great deal of nutrients to the soil, so long term effects will be positive. High quantities of ash is however harmful for grazers.

The Arctic Portal will keep on following the volcanic eruption and its aftermaths.

Update: 14.05.10:

The eruption remains steady and is at the moment distributing a significant amount of ash. Ash fall has been reported in Reykjavík and is this the first time since the beginning of the eruption that this has happened. Domestic flights have bee grounded for the day as well as international flights from Europe to Iceland. Scientists state that the end of the eruption is still impossible to predict and that the volcano shows no signs of slowing down.

Iceland, Eyjafjallajökull – May 1st and 2nd, 2010 from Sean Stiegemeier on Vimeo.

Update: 11.05.10: There has been considerable volcanic activity or more specifically earth quakes under another volcanic field in the region called Bárðarbunga. Public safety authorities do not believe that there is much risk that there will be an eruption and that there is no need to be alarmed. It is there for rather for informative reasons that we post this update. Bárðarbunga-Grímsvötn volcano has not erupted in historical times and lies at the center of the volcanic belt that lies from the southwest to northwest of Iceland and is one of the two largest in the world (the other one is under Hawaii).The fissure under Bárðarbunga is estimated to be 200 km long and up to 25 km wide and is ice covered. The biggest amount of lava dispersed in Iceland, and in fact the world, came from Bárðarbunga approximately 8500 years ago.

Icelandic authorities do not have an emergency reaction plan for this volcano, but state that such a plan will be done as it is wise to have one, without any actual fear that the main volcanic area will erupt. It has also to be noted that there have been regular eruptions in the proximity of these activities in Gjálp 1996 Grímsvötn 1998 and 2004. In 1996 when Gjálpur erupted there was very similar volcanic activity under Bárðarbungu.

The likelihood of an eruption in the main volcanic field under Bárðarbunga is there for not considered very likely, but if it were to happen it could be an eruption of immense proportions that could once again make the one we have seen seem like a firecracker.

Update: 11.05.10: Eyjafjallajökull is still steady and keeps on erupting-

Update: 06.05.10: The volcanic activity is still considerable, and has not changed from yester day. There are some very interesting pictures available here

Update: 05.05.10: The volcanic activity is still higher than it was a couple of days ago with increased seismic activity- the tremors are originated at 23 km below the surface and move upwards. This indicates that new lava is searching upwards and putting presure on the existing lava. It is therefore expected that the eruption will continue with full force for a while.

The ash is having minimal effect on air traffic- compared to what it did recently. Currently a no-fly zone has been put in place Northern Ireland’s three airports- which seems to be the only place were the ashfall is having any significant effect.

Update: 03.05.10: The volcanic activity under Eyjafjallajökull has been on the increase for the last couple of days. Specialists do not have any clear cut explanation why this is happening or what consequence this may have. We will continue to monitor the situation and bring new information as soon as it arrives.

Update: 27.04.10: The volcanic activity remains steady for the time being, and it’s still hard to tell when the eruption will come to an halt. Flights from Iceland have been limited over the weekend- with some international flights leaving from Akureyri Iceland. Which is a small town of approximately 20.000 people in the North of Iceland and the home to the Arctic Portal.

Update: 22.04.10: The volcanic activity in Eyjafjallajökull has been decreasing steadily, there is however still to early to predict when the eruption will stop. Flights have been steadily returning to normal in Europe. Ironically enough international flights from Iceland towards America have remained on schedule throughout the whole eruption. It is however expected that tomorrow international flights will go through Akureyri airport and Egilstaða airport as Keflavík airport, Icelands main international airport will be completely closed for the first time since the eruption.

Update: 20.04.10: The amount of ash and smoke from the eruption is less than it has been the previous days, while the volcanic activity remains the same. Hopefully this will reduce the affect the eruption has had on international air traffic and the local farmers. The image on the right is a satellite image from a modis satellite and shows the ash cloud coming from the eruption. The image is taken around noon (GMT) yesterday

Update: 20.04.10: The live feed is back on track and can be seen from the Arctic Portal front-page.

Update: 19.04.10: We are having some problems with the live feed from the eruption- as circumstances from the site have become far more complex with the later eruption due to ashfall and that it is located in a more difficult terrain.

Update: 19.04.10: A Norwegian passenger plain, has just now carried out an emergence landing in Bodo Norway. The plain that was carrying 17 passengers was on a regular schedule when the pilots realized that one of the engine shut down. Local authorities are in the process of examining the engine to see if the malfunction can be traced to volcanic Ash from the eruption here on Iceland.

Update: 19.04.10: We here at the Arctic Portal just came across the most amazing image of the eruption by photographer Terje Sorgjerd. One could imagine that this may be a prime candidate to become the World Press photo of the year. To see the image, please click here. As can bee seen in the photo the power unleashed in the eruption is humbling and truly shows us who is actually in control on this planet of ours.

Update: 19.04.10: The Icelandic met office estimates that the eruption has shifted towards being a lava eruption. This indicates that water does no longer have access to the crater resulting in a lover ash cloud. According to eye-witnesses there are loud explosions followed by lava gushes by the size of an SUV streaming out of the crater. This will hopefully mean that flight restrictions will be reduced. The flight restrictions have also been highly criticized and there are many that believe that they are severely redundant for most areas.

Update: 16.04.10 Yesterday evening there was another instream of flooding from the glazier, larger than the previous that had occured. The gaps that were created in the highway are believed to have minimized the damage significantly and the bridge over markafljót still stands. National public safety authorities will meet with the cabinet today to inform them of the health hazards created by flooding and ash-fall. Local public safety authorities across the country will also meet today to discuss threats created by ashfall. Food and supplies have been running low in the southern regions, since traffic from Reykjavík has been disrupted and cargo trucks forced to drive the other way around the country. Ash fall has been significant in the region, and residents have described the scenario as being dark in mid day, and in some instances visibility around 7-10 meters.

The coast guard airplane TF-Sif flew over the eruption site yesterday and took some thermal imaging pictures that display a rather gnarly persona in the volcano. With a fair level of humor local newspapers describe the picture as ” a portrait of the devil himself”

The volcanic eruption has been steady and shows no signs of backing down, and local geologist state that it is virtually impossible to predict how long the eruption may last. There have been significant problems retrieving lava samples for testing since the eruption is located within a deep crater, which is still partially covered by the glacier. These samples have however been retrieved and are being analyzed. Páll Einarsson geophysicist states that the future of the eruption is hard to predict “first and foremost geophysicist build predictions on prior experience and there is not much prior experience with the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull. The only eruption that there exist considerable knowledge about is the eruption in 1821 and the predictions that your are able to make from one eruption are limited. The eruption 1821 lasted longer than a year and was followed by a significant amount of ash fall. It is therefor likely that the eruption will last quite a bit longer”. Helgi Björnsson glacierologist further explains that fall lines lie between Eyjafjallajökull and Katla volcano and a little lava injection between regions could stir Katla into motion which is a far bigger volcano- as covered previously here below.

Volcanic eruptions are in general quite common in Iceland and there have been 205 volcanic eruptions, of various types and scales, from the settlement of Iceland around 870.

Update: 15.04.10 All air traffic has now been stopped in British airspace due to the volcano. An interesting news coverage can be seen at the BBC website, with an overview of how the ash cloud is spreading towards Europe. Local health authorities have now issued recommendation on how to deal with the ash fall. Icelanders are asked not to be outside without a valid reason and people working outside are asked to wear dust masks, which are available at local health clinics. The ash may cause breathing problems for individuals, that may be extensively sensitive. These directions are however precautionary and little threat considered at this moment from the ashfall.

Update: 15.04.10: The eruption in Southern Iceland was steady during the night with similar power as it showed yesterday. During the night there were two minor floodings, which did not cause as much damage as the flooding yesterday. There has been an increase in ash fall and it is starting to severely affect flights in Northern Europe. Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted in London have been closed as well as Belfast and Newcastle. All air traffic over Norway has been prohibited and is increasingly being prohibited in Sweden. Other airlines have been forced to postpone a number of flights or change their routes. Keflavík, Icelands main international airport has however not been closed as due to wind currents it is still possible to maintain traffic other than to Northern Europe.

Residents in Vík í Mýrdal are on alert if the far more powerful volcano Katla would start to stir. Historically it is known that activity in Eyjafjallajökull is known to put Katla in motion and it is estimated that if there is a large eruption in Katla it could make the activity so far seem like a firecracker. So far there has not been a significant amount of images or videos from the activity but below you can see some video footage taken of the new eruption. It can be estimated that it is taken from the Airplane of the national coastguard as other flights over the area are prohibited.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qvTG0YOZ7c]

Associated press news coverage

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pb_56KqVs8]

Update: 14.04.10: There has been another volcanic eruption in Eyjafjallajökull, with more force than the previous eruption which started 21 March. Approximately 700 inhabitants in the region were relocated to emergency centers in Hvolfsfelli, a nearby town. According to spokesperson with the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management the size of the eruption is estimated to be approximately 10-20 times bigger than the previous eruption that the Arctic Portal has been covering over the past weeks. The airspace around the eruption for a 10 mile radius has been closed and it is expected that the eruption will affect air traffic between Iceland and Russia and Europe. Currently the clouds generated as the glacier melts into the volcano are estimated to reach heights of 22.000 feet

This eruption is of another nature than the previous eruption and is categorized as a subglacial eruption which has already started massive flooding, with more anticipated. The national highway has been breached deliberately in a number of places by heavy machinery to minimize damage by removing the pressure created by the waterflow. Despite these measures the flood has in some places covered the road with reddish water tainted with ash and lava. Local bridges are believed to be in significant danger. These actions severely disrupt transportation as the national highway circles the country and a distruption of this road has significant complications for residents in southern and eastern Iceland.

The flood has started to threaten local farms and livestock- and may have more implications to agriculture around Iceland, threatening livestock with fluoride poisoning from the ashfall.

Update: 14.04.10: Yesterday afternoon, the volcano at Fimmvörðuhálsi was believed to have stopped erupting and the steady streams of lava gradually reduced to next to nothing and we at the Arctic Portal removed the live cam from the front-page. It now seems that this was only temporary and there seems as there is still a significant amount of activity under the glazier and residents in the region have again been relocated. There was a swift increase recorded in surrounding rivers and seismic activity has been on the rise indicating another eruption and it is believed that the lava may find another exit point this time, creating some uncertainty.

Update: 07.04.10: Tragic news come from the south as the bodies of a woman and a man, who have been missing since nightfall Monday have been found by the local search and rescue squad late last night. The third woman was found yesterday afternoon weary and cold after a long walk, and retrieved by search and rescue helicopters. It is believed that the party of three went to the volcano on Sunday and were on their way back on a Honda CRV, when they lost their way and got off track.

Approximately 1 AM Monday the group requested assistance from the local search and rescue squad, which searched for the group for five hours, while in constant contact with the group through a mobile phone. 6:30 AM the group cancelled the search, since the driver had managed to mobilize his car and find a trail to follow.

Tuesday night search and rescue squad was contacted again, by the groups relatives who had not heard from them and were becoming increasingly worried. An extensive search was put in motion where 270 search and rescue personnel searched the area by car, ski doos, on foot, cross-country skies and by helicopter.

Yesterday afternoon the first woman was found by search and rescue squad, cold and weary but in good health. Later that day the two others were found, unfortunately already deceased. The woman 43 years old and the man 55.

Update: 06.04.09: One of our Arctic Portal staff members Lilja Filippusdottir used her Easter holiday to venture to Eyjafjallajökull to see the volcanic eruption with her own eyes. Lilja is an experienced mountain climber and an active member of the local search and rescue squad in Akureyri Iceland. We saw this as the perfect opportunity to interview her about her journey and experience and to post it to our volcanic coverage.

“The trip started with a 4,5 hour walk, from Skógar up to 1000 meter height in between the two glaciers, Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull.The excitement made the walk easier than I expected. A steady, and chilling, northern wind blew straight in against us as we ventured up the mountain reducing the temperature down to -25° C. When passing by the last hill, suddenly a sight to the reddish explosions opened up, the viewpoint was crowded with people and vehicles, adoring the power of Mother Nature. When I came closer I could see the glowing fire-balls that shot up to the air with irregular rythms.

A bit further down from the fissure Iceland’s highest “waterfall” or “lavafall” runs down a steep canyon of 200 m. The fall looked like a red “thick soup” floating softly down the canyon. The majestic site seduced people to sit down for a while and just watch. The heat from the lava made it quite comfortable as well. When it started to get dark we headed down again, passing by the fissure. That was when it really struck me… it was the greatest “firework” show I have ever seen.

Update: 31.03.09: A new fissure has opened up in Eyjafjallajökull. The fissure that geologist believe is dispersing lava from the same magma pot as the initial fissure is approximately a 100 meters long. Local authorities state that the new fissure does not pose threat to residents in the area. The area has however been closed off by search and rescue temporarily until the extent of this new development is fully examined.

Update: 30.03.09: The Icelandic photographer Cristopher Lund, has published an absolutely stunning series of photos from the eruption that can be seen here. For further information about the photographer you can go to http://www.chris.is

Update: 30.03.09: The strength of the eruption, seems to be somewhat declining but geologists at the meteorological institute say it’s way too soon to state that the eruption is ending. The strength of the eruption grew somewhat yesterday afternoon, but reduced again under nightfall. A number of small earthquakes were recorded around 6 pm yesterday measuring around 2-2,5 on the richter scale. There has been a considerable traffic around the area, as the eruption has attracted a significant amount of attention from thrill seeking tourists, mostly Icelandic. Search and rescue has had to assist a number of people that have not been adiquitly equipped, since the hike to the area is approximately 14-15 hours and quite challenging even for experienced hikers. Weather conditions have been challenging up on the ridge which is above 1000 meters and temperature, with the cooling effect of wind in mind, can easily go over -20 degrees Celsius

On the 21 March Eyjafjallajökull glacier in southern Iceland, approximately 200 km from Reykjavík Icelands capital, erupted hurdeling lava and small rocks hundred meters high into the air. The volcanic eruption is considered a relatively small one and not estimated to pose any threat to the local community. During the beginning of the eruption a prompt evacuation of nearby villages was carried out and Icelandic airspace closed for arial traffic. It is estimated that around 500 people were moved from their homes to nearby towns. Residents have been allowed to go back home as the extent of the eruption has become clearer.

The Arctic Portal will relay a direct webcam from the eruption to it’s frontpage, giving it’s viewer access to the event as it unfolds. Furthermore a historical overview of eruptions within Eyjafjallajökull and it’s possible implications on the much fiercer volcano Katla will be given here below.

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lINmtRiWQ7Q]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGPD_0SCDp4]

Historical overview of eruptions within Eyjafjallajökull

Iceland sits on a volcaninc hotspot on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, were volcainc eruptions are fairly common. Mostly, these eruptions occure in areas wich are sparsely populated and pose little threat to inhabitants or property. The last volcanic eruption to occure in Iceland, prior to this one, was in Grímsvötn in 2004. Perhaps the most interesting thing with the eruption in Eyjafjallajökull is that every time it has erupted in historic time, it has also set in motion an eruption in Katla, one of the most powerful volcanoes in Iceland. Eyjafjallajökull has erupted three times in known history, 920, 1612 and 1821, and in all of the eruptions Katla has erupted at a similar time and indeed there has been some sysematic activity registered over the last years that may indicate that Katla will erupt as well.

As stated earlier, Katla is considered one of the most dangerous of Icelandic volcanos. It is located in southern Iceland not far from Eyjafjallajökull, just north of the town Vík í Mýrdal. Its peak reaches 1,512 meters in height and is partially covered by the glacier. The crater of the volcano has a diameter of 10km and the volcano normally erupts every 40-80 years, the last major eruption occurring in 1918. The Laki and Eldgjá craters are also part of the same volcanic system, which can thus be regarded as one of the most powerful volcanic areas in the world. During the 1783 Laki eruption, a fissure with 130 craters opened up emitting lava and toxic fumes reaching heights of 800-1400 meters or 2600-4600 ft. The ash fall is estimated to have killed over 50% of Icelands livestock and caused a famine killing approximately 25% of the population. In Britain the summer of 1783 was known as the “sand-summer” due to ash fallout and the effects of the eruption were clearly felt in other place in Europe as well, with ash fall and poisonous clouds resulting in many thousands of deaths. The event caused very unusual circumstances over Europe as the winter in 1784 was very harsh. Unusual number of storms and extreme frosts were detected.

The meteorological impact of Laki resonated on, contributing significantly to several years of extreme weather in Europe. In France a sequence of extremes included a surplus harvest in 1785 that caused poverty for rural workers, accompanied by droughts, bad winters and summers, including a violent hailstorm in 1788 that destroyed crops. This in turn contributed significantly to the build up of poverty and famine that triggered the French Revolution in 1789. Laki was only a factor in a decade of climatic disruption, as Grímsvötn was erupting from 1783–1785 and a recent study of El Niño patterns also suggests an unusually strong El-Niño effect between 1789-93. (Wikipedia)

To put the power realized in perspective of the bigger Katla eruptions at the peak of the 1755 eruption the flood discharged has bee estimated between 200,000-400,000 m3/s: combined the average discharge of the Amazon, Mississippi, Nile and Yagtze rivers together is about 290,000 m3/s (Wikipedia)

March 26, 2010
Polar Law Master’s program in Akureyri Iceland

The unique Polar law Master’s program at the University of Akureyri, Iceland is open for application. The deadline for the submission of applications for admission and scholarships is April 1^st. for International applicants and June 5, 2010 for EU/EETA applicants.

The Master’s program is designed both for lawyers (leading to the LL.M. degree -90 ECTS) and non-lawyers (leading to the M.A. degree -120 ECTS). There is also an option of a Diploma in Polar Law Studies at the undergraduate level (60 ECTS).

Polar law describes the legal regimes applicable to the Arctic and Antarctica. Emphasis is placed on areas of international and domestic law concerning the Polar Regions. Issues of human rights law, environmental law, the law of the sea, the law of sustainable development and natural resources are addressed, including questions of sovereignty and boundary disputes on land and sea; the rights of Arctic Indigenous peoples; self-government and good governance; security; climate change; economies and business development; resource claims and biodiversity in the Polar Regions.

Graduates will be able to seek work in the public and private sectors; with different levels of government (nationally and globally), with international and regional organizations; with academic institutions and non-governmental organizations; and with national and transnational corporations to promote the interests of the Polar Regions and their inhabitants. Intensive courses are taught in English by the leading international academic experts and practitioners in the field of Polar Law. There is no tuition fee.

The University of Akureyri is located in Northern Iceland in attractive natural surroundings.

For further information regarding the application process and courses, please visit the Polar Law website or contact Dr. Markus Meckl, Polar Law Coordinator, tel.: +354 460 8655

February 12, 2010
New technology to establish the electric car as a viable option in Iceland and possibly other regions of the Arctic is becoming a not so distant reality.

Driving a car is the most polluting act an average citizen commits and cars are the single most contributors to air pollution in the world. Partial shift to other energy sources could reduce CO2 emissions significantly.

Electric cars are not a new invention and have been around for years. The Smart car for example is known to most dwellers of urban centers and metropolies around Europe and the United States, and could be described as a funny little car that has limited usability to the average individual. Fuel cells or batteries have been the limiting factor in electric cars in the past. The duration of the batteries was low, they were heavy and not environmentally friendly in production. Over the last couple of years technical advancement have been significant, and further advancements are to be expected. As a indicator of the weight being put into further development U.S president Barack Obama recently allocated a billion $ to further development of batteries and supporting technologies to be used in such vehicles.

Electric cars are becoming more and more competitive for various reasons. Environmental awareness has over the past decades been on the rise and governments are allocating more funding for research and development. Fluctuations in energy prizes, the notion of energy security and the possible future scarcity of fossil fuels further encourage development of new methods and facilitate the establishment of infrastructure needed for such vessels.

In Iceland work has begun by a company called 2012 on the establishment of 10.000 charging stations and 150 speed-charging stations located around the country. The idea is that one could charge one’s car while shopping for groceries, going to the cinema, etc. An average car could be fully loaded in 3-4 hours in a regular charging station and in 10-15 minutes in a speed-charging station. The electric cars of today are able to manage between 100 km per charge to 470 km approximately.

Admission to the charging system would be managed by subscription and the estimated cost would be between 5-10.000 Icelandic Kr per month. For comparison 50 liters/ 13 gallons of gasoline cost 8900 Kr in Iceland today. Electricity would thus be significantly cheaper than buying gasoline for the average user per month, given that this estimate is accurate. Users that drive more than average would be billed accordingly and users that drive less would be refunded credits to their energy account. Users that charge their cars at home and do not use their cars often would therefore be able to save significantly. Furthermore maintenance is expected to be less expansive since an average diesel engine has approximately 1000 moving parts while a similar electric motor has four. Despite for lower operating costs electric cars are as of yet significantly more expensive than their fossil-fuel counterparts but this can be expected to change as production of them increases.

A wide range of cars are and have been developed using electricity as there only energy source.

Electric motocross/dirt bikes have become a reality as well as the production of electric Skidoo’s/Snowmobiles can be expected to commence in a couple of years.

Cars using alternative energy sources than fossil fuels are definitely on the rise and could be so especially in the Arctic. A common nominator to many areas of the Arctic is the abundance of hydro energy. Furthermore work is being done on creating electricity with wave or tidal power, solar power as well as by the use of windmills. Technological advancements over the past decades and the foreseeable future will enable us to create more electricity at a declining cost which are more environmentally friendly than previous methods.

The Arctic regions are especially vulnerable to air pollution. Toxins from thousands of miles away can enter the Arctic ecosystems, creating health risks to local people, especially to the Inuit due to their traditional diet. Despite the marginal part of the Arctic’s pollution, originating from the Arctic it is highly important that the Arctic countries lead the way in finding more sustainable solutions.

June 24, 2009
University Centre of the Westfjords

In the small village of Ísafjörður in the rural area of the Westfjords in Iceland, is a small but ambitiuos University centre. The University Centre of the Westfjords is a non-profit organisation established in March 2005. It has 40 founding members, including all of the country’s institutions of higher education. The Centre began operations in Vestrahús in Ísafjörður in January 2006. The same building houses offices of the Marine Research Institute, the Icelandic Fisheries Laboratories, and the Icelandic Snow Avalanche Research Centre, among others. The Westfjords Regional Development Centre is also located there, and all of the organizations represented in the building share common reception facilities.

The University Centre acts as a contact between Westfjords residents and institutions of higher education. The most important aspect of this work is the University Centre’s function as the West Fjord’s distance-learning institute. Seven universities in Iceland offer distance learning courses and distance learning instruction takes place at the Centre, variously through the Internet or with the help of remote conference technology.

The Centre also assists university students and teachers from outside the area in establishing contacts in the Westfjords. The Centre provides information on the region as an interesting option and area for research and assists students and scholars in their work on research projects in the Westfjords. The University Centre makes its facilities available to all university-level students who are studying or carrying out research in the Westfjords.

Preparatory program for university entrance

The School of Science and Engineering at Reykjavík University offers a preparatory program for students who do not yet qualify for university entrance. The goal of the program is primarily to prepare students for further studies within the School of Science and Engineering. However, the program offers good general preparation for all kinds of university-level studies, and students who complete the preparatory program have a good chance of being accepted to other university programs in Iceland. A special support system is planned for those whose mother tongue is not Icelandic but who have a good command of the language.

Continuing Education

The University Centre of the Westfjords offers exciting continuing education opportunities in the field of environmental and resource management, in connection with its cross-disciplinary program in Coastal and Marine Management.

The master’s courses will be open for external participants, who must, however, fulfill the program’s admission requirements and be approved by the master’s program committee. The courses are particularly useful for those working professionally in research, planning, resource management, environmental assessment, and related areas.

Coastal and Marine Management Masters Program

The University Centre of the Westfjords offers a Masters program in environmental and resource management. Coastal and Marine Management is a demanding and ambitious master’s program in environmental and resource management. The program is cross-disciplinary and prepares students for diverse and exciting positions in both the public and private sectors. It is offered in cooperation with the University of Akureyri, one of Iceland´s state-run universities, which has specialized in fisheries science and related matters for many years. Among the fields which the master’s program in Coastal and Marine Management prepares students to work in are resource and land use planning, environmental impact assessment, consulting work, teaching and research. The program is internationally oriented and taught in English, and both students and instructors come from a diverse range of countries. The master’s program in Coastal and Marine Management brings together people of different backgrounds who share their experience, knowledge, and ideas in a small-scale, creative and fertile intellectual environment, with the goal of finding ways of using natural resources in a sustainable way. The University Centre of the Westfjords welcome new faces to join our exciting group of natural resource management specialists. The application deadline for the autumn semester 2009 for Non EU/EEA citizens is February 15^th and for EU/EEA Citizens is April 15^th. Residents in Iceland can apply for the spring semester 2009, the deadline is December 15^th.

For more information about the University Centre of the Westfjords of Iceland, please visit the Centre´s website.

Coastal and Marine Management Brochure

December 11, 2008
Stefansson Arctic Institute
Stefansson Arctic Institute

The Stefansson Arctic Institute (SAI) was established in 1998 and operates under the auspices of the Icelandic Ministry for the Environment. Recently, the Institute celebrated its ten year anniversary. Among guests and speakers at the celebration were Ms. Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir, Minister for the Environment and Ms. Sigrún Björk Jakobsdóttir, Mayor of Akureyri.

The Institute bears the name of explorer and anthropologist Vilhjálmur Stefansson (1879-1962). He was born in Canada and both his parents were Icelandic immigrants. Vilhjálmur studied anthropology at Harvard and then explored the Arctic from 1906 to 1918. When he returned he lived in the USA, giving lectures, writing and teaching.

Vilhjálmur Stefánsson

Stefansson undertook his first expeditions when he was a student of anthropology at Harvard University. These were journeys to Iceland in 1904 and 1905 for the purpose of obtaining human bones for research in anthropological anatomy. Vilhjálmur Stefansson was best known, however, for his extensive scientific expeditions into the unexplored regions of northern Canada.

Stefansson’s expeditions constitute impressive achievements, in the fields of both exploration and research, and include numerous elements of the societies and natural environment of the North. Vilhjálmur spent a total of ten winters and seven summers travelling through the northern regions. With his companions, he travelled on foot and by dog sledge, covering a distance of approximately 32,000 kilometers, often in extreme conditions.

Stefansson wrote over 20 books as well as nearly 400 articles and essays on most subjects in the sphere of Arctic studies. One of Vilhjálmur Stefansson’s best-known books is The Friendly Arctic, and he foresaw that the book’s title presented a challenge to many of his contemporaries who did not share his positive approach to Arctic regions and their inhabitants. Stefansson undertook three arctic expeditions, which included discoveries of new land and the edge of the continental shelf. His journeys and successes are among the marvels of polar exploration.

Expeditions:

1906-1907 Anglo-American Expedition explored Mackenzie Delta area of Arctic Canada
1908-1912 Stefansson-Anderson Arctic Expedition: explored Arctic Canada
1913-1918 Canadian Arctic Expedition: explored Arctic Canada and discovered Brock, Borden, Meighen and Lougheed Islands

The legacy of the explorer and anthropologist Vilhjálmur Stefansson is closely connected with human-environmental relations, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the survival and viability of northern communities. Perhaps his legacy is of primary importance because he has, more than anyone else, contributed to a change in the image of the North, from a barren eternally frozen wasteland into a rich region of diverse character that deserves the attention of the international community. We live in changing times and the current focus of awareness has certainly been shifted north. This has been a rapid development, transferring the Arctic regions to a central position with regard to the issues of environmental and climate change, international co-operation and resource governance and use.

Stefansson Arctic Institute

The Stefansson Arctic Institute is located in Akureyri in Northern Iceland. The staff at the Stefansson Arctic Institute includes scientists with broad interdisciplinary research background and experience. SAI has enjoyed and further welcomes visits by scholars, to work on and present their research. The role of the Institute is to:
- promote sustainable development in the circumpolar north and strengthen Icelandic participation in this endeavor,
- facilitate and co-ordinate arctic research in Iceland,
- be a forum of co-operation with regards to multidisciplinary research and international events and projects,
- collect and disseminate research material and information on circumpolar issues,
- provide facilities for scholars pursuing research relevant to SAI’s agenda,
- advise the government on northern issues.
Stefansson Arctic Institute Current Projects

Arctic Human Development Report

The Arctic Human Development Report was published in November 2004. The report was prepared under the auspices of the Arctic Council and is an overview and assessment of human conditions in the circumpolar region. The secretariat of the project was at the Stefansson Arctic Institute.

The Friendly Arctic: A Travelling Exhibition

The exhibition focuses on Vilhjálmur Stefansson’s life, legacy and vision for the Arctic, featuring a selection of his photographs, recordings, publications, diaries, maps and other items. The exhibit opened in Akureyri Art Museum in November 2000 and has after that visited Reykjavík, Gimli, Winnipeg, Iqaluit in Nunavut, Norwich in Vermont, New York and in Bryggen, Copenhagen. To view a web version of the exhibition, please click here.

Human Dimensions of Arctic Environments

This web-based information project is concerned with arctic cultures and environments, with a broad comparative focus on critical issues, problems and opportunities which face the peoples of the Circumpolar North today. Launched by SAI in 2000 with funding from the European Commission, the project involves co-operation with the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi, Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge, the Institute for Arctic Studies at Dartmouth College, University of Iceland Institute of Anthropology and University of Akureyri. The name of the project is The Arctic Is. To view the projects website, please click here.

International Collaboration

University of the Arctic

Designed to meet the needs of northern peoples as they face the challenges of a rapidly globalizing world, the University of the Arctic has begun to make important contributions to higher educational in the emerging circumpolar region. The Stefansson Arctic Institute has a representative in the Council of the University of the Arctic, participates in developing the University’s Bachelor of Circumpolar Studies Program, and contributes to the delivery of UArctic courses at the University of Akureyri. The UArctic webpage.

Northern Research Forum (NRF)

The NRF provides a platform for effective, policy-relevant discussion and the sharing of research on northern issues. Open meetings are held biennially with the participation of a wide variety of scientists, policy makers and representatives of other stake-holders. The first NRF was held in Akureyri in November 2000, the second in Veliky Novgorod, NW Russia in 2002, and the third in Yellowknife and Rae Edzo, the Northwest Territories, Canada in 2004. The fourth Open Meeting was held in Oulu, Tornio, Haparanda and Luleå in Sweden and Finland in 2006. The 5th NRF was held in Anchorage, Alaska, in September 2008. The secretariat for the NRF is operated jointly by the Stefansson Arctic Institute and the University of Akureyri. Northern Research Forum Website.

North Atlantic Biocultural Organization (NABO)

SAI is the one of NABO’s coordination offices. NABO is a non-governmental regional research co-operative with over 450 members in 14 countries. NABO includes 28 major northern research centers in North America, and northern Europe. NABO webpage.

The International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA)

IASSA is governed by an elected eight-member Council and a General Assembly consisting of all members having paid their membership. There is a General Assembly every three years held during the International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences (ICASS) organized by IASSA. Between the General Assemblies IASSA is run by a Secretariat. The Secretariat is located at the Stefansson Arctic Institute.

Other international initiatives and circumpolar networks in which SAI participates include the International Arctic Science Committee Regional Board, the Nordic Polar Group, and International Conference on Arctic Research Planning.

Location of the Stefansson Arctic Institute

The Stefansson Arctic Institute is located in Akureyri, Iceland’s Capital of the North, which is a growing centre of arctic activities and events. Two of Arctic Council’s secretariats are located in Akureyri – CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) and PAME (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environments). The Northern Research Forum secretariat is located in Akureyri and the International Arctic Social Sciences Association (IASSA) was recently moved to Akureyri. In addition, Studies in Polar Law for M.A. and LL.M. were launched in the autumn of 2008 at the University of Akureyri. The town of Akureyri, of 17000 people, is gaining reputation for hosting arctic related workshops, conferences and other events. The Arctic Portal Project is also based in Akureyri.
November 18, 2008