Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption, beginning this spring on April 14th and continuing throughout the summer, dumped tons of ash (estimated at 250 million cubic meters) in southern Iceland and across Europe. We hiked for four days in the area directly north of the volcano and observed it in the distance. The effects of the eruption lay piled at our feet. Ash was everywhere. When we arrived at our huts each night, the ash followed us to dinner, joined us in our sleeping bags, and covered the toilets in the WC (outhouses). During the day, we “skied” down mountains of ash, used the ash to cushion headstands, and filled our pockets with it to bring home.
Maddy was amazed by “the juxtaposition between the harshness and beauty of the ash” that surrounded us, calling it, “otherworldly.” We were surrounded by a barren and destroyed land, or so we thought. Plant life grew where we assumed there would be none. Páll and Rosa, our guides, informed us that volcanic ash is incredibly nutrient rich. It nourishes plant life with phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and countless others. Nitrogen-fixing plants especially thrive due to the excess phosphorous. Throughout the hike, the vibrant colors of mosses and small forbs drew our eyes to the ground, tempting us to lie down and linger. The volcanic landscape will be forever imprinted in our minds and hearts.
-Cassie Bodette
No comments:
Post a Comment