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@Jökulsárlón

Eiður guided the group of pets onto a special amphibian boat, which trundled down the slipway and into the water for an exciting trip on the glacier lagoon. During the excursion the pets sailed amongst the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón, waving hello to seals they passed along the way.

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@Rye Bread

Having built up a healthy appetite sailing on the lagoon, the pets enjoyed their packed lunches supplied by the chef at their accommodation. Eiður explained that rye bread is a speciality in Iceland. He said it was a slow-baked bread, which broke down the starch in the rye and produced a sweetness of flavour.

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@Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon

It was amazing to view the icebergs in the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon up close, and to see the Vatnajökull glacier and snow-capped mountains in the background. The guide explained that Jökulsárlón was a glacial lagoon formed from the melting of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. The lagoon is known for its icebergs, which break off from the glacier and float towards the sea.

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@Jökulsárlón, Glacial Lake

The black sand beach is scattered with icebergs in various stages of melt, as fresh glacial water dissolves rapidly in the warmer salty ocean temperatures. The lagoon is a popular tourist destination and a testament to the rapid transformation of northern landscapes due to climate change. Vatnajökull is Europe's largest glacier, covering more than 8% of Iceland. Iceland is known as the "Land of Fire and Ice" due to its combination of volcanoes and glaciers.

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@Stunning Aurora in Turquoise

Suddenly, the vibrant lights of the aurora borealis started dancing way above.
"What makes it turquoise, Eiður?" queried Icicle.
Eiður enthusiastically launched into an explanation. "In an aurora borealis, a tur­quoise colour typical­ly arises from excited nitro­gen atoms or mole­cules with­in the Earth's atmos­phere. When high-energy particles from solar winds collide with these nitrogen atoms, they become excited and release light at specific wave­lengths. This light, when combined with other colours from oxygen (like green and red), can create the vibrant turquoise hue."

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@Erupting Volcano

Archie was baffled. "Excited ... nitrogen ... atoms ...?" Seeing Archie's ears drooping and his plaintive look, Eiður hastened to reassure him. "When solar wind particles interact with the Earth's atmosphere, they collide with nitrogen molecules and atoms. These collisions can excite the nitrogen atoms, causing their electrons to jump to higher energy levels."

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@Hveragerði

"As these excited electrons return to their normal energy levels, they release the excess energy in the form of light. The green colour often seen in auroras is primarily due to oxygen, while nitrogen contributes to blues, purples and pinks. The turquoise colour can appear when the light from these different emissions combines or when nitrogen emits a specific shade of green-blue. Nitrogen atoms can emit light in various colors, including blue, violet, and pink, depending on the energy levels involved. In some cases, the specific energy transitions within the nitrogen atom can result in a turquoise-green shade."

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@Razorbill

Eiður pointed out a razorbill, a seabird common in Iceland. He explained that razorbills are known for their black and white plumage and their distinctive, thick bills. They breed on cliffs and rocky shores, often in large colonies. The largest razorbill colony is in western Iceland.
Razorbills are long-lived birds, with an average lifespan of 13 years, and the oldest recorded razorbill lived to be 41 years old. They typically lay one egg per year in crevices or on bare rock.

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@Icelandic Arctic Tern Chick

The group of pets met a fluffy, grey chick with a black-and-white speckled head and a small, dark beak and orange legs. Eiður explained it was an Arctic Tern chick, as Iceland is a major breeding ground for these birds.
Arctic Terns are known for their long migrations, traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year. They nest in simple ground depressions and feed their young mostly small fish, sand eels, and insects.
While the Atlantic Puffin is more famous in Iceland, the Arctic Tern is also a common sight, especially during the summer months when they breed.

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@Kristínartindar,

A walk to Kristínartinda, in good visibility, offered the group a view of the mountains in Öræfi, the southernmost part of Vatnajökull and the sandy beach of Skeiðarársandur. The trail mostly follows the same route as the route around Skaftafellsheiði, except for the top part along the peaks themselves.

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@Icelandic Arctic Fox

The breeding season for arctic foxes in Iceland typically occurs in March and April. They mate for life and raise their young in dens that are often dug into the hillside or under rocks. An average litter consists of 5-10 pups, which are born blind and helpless. Both parents are involved in the care and feeding of their offspring, which emerge from the dens in late May or early June.

The arctic fox population in Iceland is relatively stable, with estimates ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 individuals. Their main predators include golden eagles and birds of prey. However, human activities such as habitat destruction and overhunting have historically posed threats to their survival. Conservation efforts and legal protection have helped maintain their numbers and prevent them from facing significant declines.

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@Snæfellsjökull

Snæfellsjökull, a majestic crown jewel of Iceland's volcanic wonders, stands tall as a beacon of ice and fire. This iconic stratovolcano, nestled in the heart of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is more than just a frosty peak; it's a gateway to the imagination and adventure. Its gleaming white cap, often brushed by the soft pastel hues as the sun rises and sets, hides a fiery soul that has inspired countless myths and legends.

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@Floating Glacier

"As the only volcano in the world boasting a glacier," remarked Eiður, "Snæfellsjökull is an enigma of contrasts, a harmonious blend of ice-age beauty and geothermal might. Its slopes whisper secrets of Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth, as it is said to conceal a hidden entrance to the planet's core."
The pets, as one, gasped and looked awestruck.