Geothermal systems are a part of our geological environment and energy utilization from such systems may be regarded as environmentally friendly compared to many other types. Geothermal systems are commonly associated with volcanic complexes, where molten magma provides the main heat source and the geothermal systems convect heat and matter to the surface. In addition, many fossil geothermal systems are the modern sources of ore deposits. Geothermal systems are also present in non-volcanic environments where they are associated with areas of higher heat flow forming warm to hot geological formations and permeability anomalies. The heat energy and permeability can also be created and enhanced through the use of geothermal heat pumps. The summer school is aimed at introducing various aspects of geothermal systems and geothermal energy utilization. It combines theoretical lectures from leading scientists, presentations from participants and practical field excursions. A strong field component will be an intergral part of the summer school. The school is sponsored by Nordforsk.
Topics
The Nordvulk summer school in 2011 is dedicated to hydrothermal systems and energy. Topics to be covered include:
• Heat and mass transfer in geothermal systems
• Geological, geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques
• Geothermal sustainability and environmental issues
• Geothermal alteration
• Geothermal fluids and fluid-rock interaction
• Geothermal systems and ore deposits
• Enhanced geothermal systems and heat pumps
• Geothermal biology, geobiology and energy utilization
The program
The summer school will take place at Hotell Hengill, Nesjavellir, Iceland, with very nice facilities for a program of this kind. It is located in the rift valley next to lakeThingvallavatn, the Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant and the Hengill central volcano, all easily reached in an afternoon walk. In addition, four guided field trips will take place during the summer school. The eroded volcanic centers at Husafell and Hvalfjordur will be visited, as well as active geothermal fields in South and Soutwest Iceland including Geysir, Fludir, Hveragerdi and Olkelduhals, Krýsuvík and Reykjanes, where active mud pots, steam vents, hot springs, microbiological mats, erupting geysers, direct use of geothermal water and energy and many other things will be seen. During the last two days the Torfajokull field in the south central highlands of Iceland will be explored ending the trip at the Eyjafjallajökull 2010 eruption site.
Program (pdf file)
Practical information (pdf file)
Registration
Deadline for application is 1st May 2011. All participants are required to pay a registration fee of 200 EUR (non refundable), which coveres tuition, course materials and transport during field trips. Furthermore, all participants must cover their own travel to and from Iceland, as well as accommodation in Iceland after the school (if required). There is a maximum number of 30 students in the course, with a number of places reserved for students from the Nordic countries, which support the summer school through a NordForsk grant. For students and post-docs based in Nordic institutions (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland) the cost of hotel accommodation and meals during the school is covered by NordForsk. Students from other countries need to cover the cost of 135000 Icelandic kronas (about 900 € at present exchange rate) for hotel accommodation and meals at the venue. We encourage the applicants to seek funding for their own expenditures.
Organisers
Andri Stefánsson (Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland), as@hi.is
Anette K. Mortensen (Iceland GeoSurvey), Anette.Mortensen@isor.is
Rikke Pedersen (Nordic Volcanological Center, University of Iceland), rikke@hi.is