Geological Sights and Northern Lights: Iceland’s Natural Splendours

When considering where best to go for a sighting of the Northern Lights, Iceland is often at the top of the list. This is no surprise: not only is it in a good geographical location for seeing the natural phenomena, but its dynamic, geologically active landscape makes for an exciting holiday destination. The core tour is the Golden Circle of Gullfoss, Strokkur geyser and the Thingvellir rift valley, but visitors can venture further into the island – including to the now-notorious volcano Eyjafjallajökull.

Golden Circle

The Golden Circle has earned its place as a favourite day excursion with tourists. It is the perfect way to spend the day before setting out in search of the Northern Lights: Iceland’s geological marvels are well-exhibited at Gullfoss waterfall, Strokkur geyser and the rift valley at the site of the first Thingvellir. The vast scale of Gullfoss demonstrates the strength of the country's waterways, some of which are put to use in power generation. At Strokkur geyser, visitors can get a real sense of the planet’s interior reaching to the surface, with the geyser erupting every 5 to 10 minutes, the smell of sulphur, the churning, hot pools of water and the mineral deposits left around them. At Thingvellir, history on both a human and geological scale come together, and visitors can stand on the site of the first Icelandic parliament and walk into the rift between the two tectonic plates that drive the island’s geological activity.

Golden Circle tours can be combined with visits to some of the country's many other waterfalls, as well as continuing into the night for an opportunity to see the splendid Northern Lights. Iceland has endless natural wonders on display for its visitors.

Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Eyjafjallajökull notoriously erupted in 2010 to the widespread disruption of European air traffic. Today the volcano lies dormant once again and can be safely visited during the day. Super jeeps take visitors up the volcano to see fissures and lava flows created in the 2010 eruption. On foot, visitors can continue on a one-hour hike to the crater. The views over the Thórsmörk region and the Atlantic Ocean are stunning, but not as thrilling as the fact of standing on a volcano.

The Main Attraction

The pinnacle of the visit is, of course, a sight of the Northern Lights. Iceland is well-located for seeing the aurora borealis on a clear night, and after days spent in its dynamic landscape, a night among the mountains and glaciers of Thórsmörk or lounging in an outdoor hot tub with the green and pink arcs of light shimmering across the starry sky is not to be missed. The violence of outer space is transformed by the protective magnetic field surrounding the Earth into a light show beyond comparison. Visitors will carry this memory with them for the rest of their lives.

Abigail Collins is director of Aurora Nights, a company offering a select range of once in a lifetime holidays to see the Northern Lights. For the best chance to encounter the Northern Lights, Iceland and Swedish Lapland are excellent destinations. Aurora Nights is part of Weekend a la Carte, a family-run company with vast in-depth knowledge based on their extensive travels to the region of the Aurora Borealis and passionate about giving superb client service.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.