6th to 10th October 2026 or 27th to 31st October 2026  |  Starting at £1450pp

The Geology of Iceland

4 day expedition

Explore Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, waterfalls, black sand beaches and active rift zones through the eyes of a geologist.

Where Fire Meets Ice - Exploring an Active Rift Zone with a geologist

Explore Iceland that sits on top of the Mid Atlantic Ridge - where the North American and Eurasian plates are literally moving away from each other underneath your feet.

Join me for a 4 day geology focused adventure through some of Iceland’s most spectacular landscapes. This tour takes in famous sights across the Golden Circle and south coast, but with a much deeper geological story behind them. We’ll explore tectonic plate boundaries, geysers, lava fields, black sand beaches, waterfalls and geothermal volcanic landscapes - all explained in an engaging and easy understanding way.

Iceland is one of the few places on Earth where you can witness volcanism in action, driven by both a hotspot and a plate boundary. Fresh lava fields, eruptive history and active systems make this a living, breathing volcanic landscape.

Active Volcanism

Rift valleys and Fault zones

Explore an active plate boundary with a professional geologist - This is one of @scottishgeologist’s favourite locations. Iceland sits astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Earth’s crust is being pulled apart. This creates dramatic rift valleys and fault systems that allow you to literally walk between tectonic plates.

Geysers and Geothermal systems

Superheated groundwater interacts with shallow magma to create explosive geysers, steaming vents and boiling mud pools. These geothermal systems are a direct window into the heat and energy beneath Iceland.

Glacial Landscapes

Iceland’s landscapes are shaped by the powerful interaction of ice and fire, where glaciers carve the land and volcanoes build it. Black sand beaches form from broken-down lava, while waterfalls reveal layers of volcanic rock beneath.

Highlights

Walk between tectonic plates at Thingvellir
See erupting geysers and geothermal activity
Explore Iceland’s famous waterfalls, glacial and volcanic landscapes
Visit black sand beaches and basalt cliffs
Learn the geology behind Iceland’s landscapes

What’s Included?

Included

4 days of guided touring
Transport during the tour - meet at the Keflavik Airport
Expert geology interpretation
Visits to key locations on the itinerary
Accommodation (self catering house or holiday home with shared bathrooms) - each person will get their own room unless travelling as a couple.

Not Included

Flights
Food and drink
Personal travel insurance
Optional extras

Why is this tour different?

This isn’t just a standard Iceland trip. This is a geology-led experience designed to help you truly understand the landscapes around you. You’ll still visit some of Iceland’s best-known locations, but instead of simply stopping for photos, you’ll learn how they formed, what they tell us about the Earth, and why Iceland is one of the most geologically fascinating places on the planet.

What to expect

This tour includes a mixture of short walks, scenic stops and geology interpretation throughout. Expect incredible landscapes, changeable weather, and lots of opportunities to stop for photos while learning the story behind the rocks.