All language subtitles for The.World.From.Above.S06E11.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-AlfaHD_track3_[eng]

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- Our journey
starts at Reykjavik,

Europe's northernmost capital.

From there, we travel to
the Reykjanes Peninsula,

one of the most active
volcanic regions in the world.

After paying a visit to
Iceland's top tourist attraction,

the Blue Lagoon Thermal Baths,

we explore the villages and lava fields

of the southwest coast.

We then head inland to the world's

second largest geothermal
power plant at Hengill.

We return to the southern
coast at Eyrarbakki,

one of a number of villages situated

on the world's largest,
post Ice-Age lava field.

Out to sea, we explore
the Westman Islands,

also known as the Pompeii of the North.

Finally, we visit Surtsey,
one of the world's

most important scientific discoveries.

Iceland's rich history dates back

to the 9th century and the age of Vikings.

It's believed today's
Reykjavik was the site

of their first permanent settlement.

Europe's northernmost capital enjoys one

of the highest living
standards in the world.

With its abundance of renewable energy,

Reykjavik is also
considered to be the world's

greenest city, a great
source of local pride.

While Iceland remains
Europe's most sparsely

populated country, roughly
2/3 its 320,000 inhabitants

live in or around the capital.

With it's commercial shipping facilities,

international airport,
and striking architecture,

Reykjavik has embraced its status

as a thriving, modern city.

One distinctive building
is known as the Pearl,

a storage facility for
geo-thermally heated water.

The location here, a
mere two degrees south

of the Arctic Circle, means
short four hour days in winter.

But in the summer,
Reykjavik becomes the land

of the midnight sun, with
nearly 24 hours of daylight.

Swimming is a great way to pass
Iceland's long summer days.

The use of geothermal pools
means year-round bathing.

A fine example of the country's unique

architectural style is
Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral,

one of Reykjavik's most
recognizable landmarks.

At nearly 75 meters, the majestic tower's

design was inspired by the shapes

and patterns found in lava formations.

Of course, no visit to Iceland's
capital would be complete

without exploring the colorful housing

of the city's neighborhoods.

Painting buildings this way goes back

to the early 1900s when
corrugated iron was used

as a cheap and abundant building material.

The problem was that it quickly rusted.

So, in resourceful Icelandic fashion,

the home owners looked no further

than the leftover paints from boatyards

to rust-proof their houses.

It also made the city blaze with color.

Though today building materials are mixed,

it's a habit that's clearly stuck.

Another of Iceland's
traditions holds an even

greater significance than
housing or architecture.

Built in 1992, Rekjavik City
Hall may be a sleek bold,

structure built for a modern government,

but democracy in Iceland has roots dating

back more than a thousand years.

The country's first parliamentary
government was established

around the year 930 and
endured for three centuries.

One of the city's most
beloved works of public art,

the Sun Voyager pays homage
to Iceland's Viking past.

The sculpture is an ode to the sun said

to represent a dream
ship, a fitting symbol

of the country's seafaring history.

Although Rekjavik has
embraced its modern status,

the city remains deeply
connected to its past.

Away from the noisy hustle
and bustle is Arbaejarsafn,

a museum that celebrates the
country's building traditions.

Established in 1957, it set out preserve

Iceland's culture and heritage
for future generations.

Most of the houses were taken

from Reykjavik's oldest neighborhoods

and from distant fishing hamlets,

then carefully reconstructed.

On the city's northern edge,
we find another historic home,

one which altered the
course of modern history.

Hofdi House, built in
1909, became the site

of one the most notable
meetings of the modern age.

On the 11th of October,
1986, Ronald Reagan

and Mikhail Gorbachev
met here for two days

to discuss the possible
decommissioning of nuclear weapons.

As for Iceland's own history,
more than 100 lighthouses

stand as symbols of the nation's
deep connection to the sea.

Located in the Seltjarnarnes
Peninsula nature reserve

on Reykjanik's Northwest
tip is Grotta Lighthouse.

The tower has stood
watch over the entrance

to the harbor since it was
originally built in 1894.

Although the building itself
is closed to the public,

this spot is considered to
be one of the best places

in the city to watch the Northern Lights.

As we travel along the southwest coast,

these clouds are a clue
as to how Reyjavik,

which means smoky bay, was
originally given its name.

The early settlers marveled
at the thick clouds

of steam that once shrouded
this volcanic landscape.

The lava and ash have also given Iceland

its rich mineral resources.

One of the country's key
industries is aluminum smelting.

With an annual capacity
of more than 185,000 tons,

this Rio Tinto plant is an important part

of the national economy.

Today, aluminum accounts for around 20%

of Iceland's total exports.

As we continue west, winding roads snake

their way across the vast landscape.

These roads often serve
as the only connection

between larger towns and
the most remote pockets

of Iceland's sparse population.

Like the small fishing hamlet of Vogar,

which sprang up in the early 20th century.

It gained importance when
larger harbors became necessary

to accommodate the increasing
size of fishing vessels.

We cross the harbor, and head
towards Reykjanes Peninsula,

a birding and nature reserve.

The waters here are also an
important seasonal habitat

for several species of
whales and dolphins.

Sheltered by the harbor
is the municipality

of Reykjanesbaer.

Though fishing has always been vital

for the communities here, it
gained military importance

after the second world war when a key

U.S. Naval base was
established on this site.

Decommissioned in 2006,
it's since been transformed

into a vocational college

which includes a renowned
aviation program.

Future pilots also train here
at nearby Keflavik Airport.

Originally built for the military in 1943,

civilian traffic gradually took over.

It now services more than two
million passengers each year.

Most visitors flock to one of
Iceland's newest additions:

the Blue Lagoon Thermal Baths.

These pools are the country's
leading tourist attraction.

It all began when a nearby geothermal

power plant opened in 1976.

A stream of excess water from the facility

saturated the porous lava field,

creating the pools we see today.

A blend of silica and blue-green algae

creates the distinctive milky color.

Many visitors believe the water
helps with skin complaints.

The Blue Lagoon may be fairly new,

but Icelanders have been utilizing

hot water pools for centuries.

The first man-made geothermal facility

in Iceland dates back to
the early 13th century,

but the tradition of bathing in the hot

springs has been an important
part of the national culture

since the first settlement
in the 9th century.

Today, the Blue Lagoon welcomes
more than 400,000 visitors

each year from every corner of the globe.

It may not be a naturally
occurring phenomenon,

but its impressive size
and the water's unique

characteristics ensure its place

as one of the man-made
wonders of the world.

These pools are also another example

of Iceland's penchant for
finding innovative ways

to utilize available resources.

The abundance of
geothermal power generated

from this peninsula makes
it the lifeblood of Iceland.

It is, after all, situated
on a visible rift zone

with five distinct volcanic regions.

Since most of the world's
rift zones are underwater,

the peninsula offers a rare glimpse

of the North American and Eurasian Plates

as they pull away from each
other, albeit very, very slowly.

With each period of volcanic activity,

Iceland continues to
grow and gain landmass,

making the Reykjanes
Peninsula a geologist's dream.

These mountains were formed
during the last Ice Age.

When an snow-capped volcano erupted,

torrents of lava ripped
channels through the glacier,

forming the peaks and ridges we see today.

A 450 year period between the 9th

and 14th centuries was
particularly active.

16 lava fields were created by

at least four separate eruptions,

each leaving its own distinctive
pattern of lava formation.

The cliffs along the southwestern coast

offer a spectacular glimpse

of Iceland's fascinating
geological history.

Even in the remotest regions,

small farms dot the rugged terrain.

Traditional shore-farming
and fishing techniques

in these areas remained
virtually unchanged

until the turn of the 20th century.

The unsurfaced roads connecting

these remote locations
are simply carved directly

into the lava-another great example

of Iceland's resourcefulness.

More than half the
country's 13,000 kilometers

of roads are made this way.

But it does leave the
surface a little dusty.

We continue across the
vast expanses of wilderness

for a first-hand encounter

with the country's most
abundant natural resource.

Beyond these rocky crags and along this

winding road lies Hellisheide
Geothermal Power Station,

the second largest of
its kind in the world.

The plant opened in 2006 and has since

undergone several expansions.

Today, Iceland is one of
the world's foremost leaders

in geothermal technology.

Nearly all the nation's
electricity is produced

using renewable resources such as

geothermal and hydro-electric power.

An estimated 90% of the
population uses green energy.

Iceland may be young from
a geological perspective,

but its first inhabitants
arrived here long

before Europeans settled in the Americas.

Situated on the banks of
the Olfusa River is Selfoss,

Iceland's first inland town.

There's been a settlement here
for over a thousand years.

It gained important significance

after the first bridge
spanning the Olfusa River

was built here in 1891.

Until that time, traffic had
to be ferried across the rough,

dangerous waters of
the fast-flowing river.

We return to the coast at Eyrarbakki,

once Iceland's largest
trade port and cultural hub.

Local lore tells of a
sailor from this town

named Lief Erikson, who
was compelled by the rumor

of a strange new land
beyond the Atlantic Ocean,

told to him by a seafarer
who'd been blown off course.

The truth may never be
known, but many historians

now credit Leif Erikson as
the first European to set foot

on North American soil
500 years before Columbus.

As we follow the coastline we come

to the nearby fishing
village of Stokkseyri.

In addition to its small human population,

nearly 70 species of
birds have been recorded.

Amid five square kilometers
of flood meadows and ponds,

these wetlands have been
designated the Floi Bird

nature reserve.

The entire surrounding area is part

of the massive Pjorsa Lava plain.

Pjorsa is the largest post-Ice
Age lava flow on earth.

For local sailors stirring clear

of Iceland's most traitorous stretches

of shoreline has been a
challenge for centuries.

Keeping careful watch over the rocky

shore is Knarraros Lighthouse.

Since its construction in 1938,

it has played a critical role

for vessels sailing in the region.

With barely fertile lava plains as far

as the eye can see, it's understandable

why most early inhabitants
chose to be near the coast.

Further inland, settlements
grew beside rivers.

This sparsely scattered village

of Pykkvibaer has sustained itself

with fish from the Holsa
River since the arrival

of its first inhabitants
in the 9th century.

Today, anglers depend on a
carefully planned program

to replenish the salmon and trout stock.

An increasing number of
tourists visit Pykkvibaer

to enjoy one of the country's
premier fishing experiences.

Protecting the country's natural

resources is an important
part of Icelandic culture.

The use of fertilizers and
pesticides are strictly limited.

Pollution from nitrogen and
phosphorus are virtually

nonexistent in Iceland's rivers and lakes.

Life is usually peaceful for those living

in the shadow of Katla,
even though it's one

of Iceland's most dangerous volcanoes.

On average, there's an
eruption every 60 years,

and the next is long overdue.

But molten lava and ash aren't
the only cause for concern.

Melt from the glacier has led

to catastrophic flooding in the past.

Just off the southern coast,
we find another of Iceland's

most active volcanic
locations, the Westman Islands.

The name refers to the Irish people

who fled here after escaping
slavery on Iceland's mainland.

The Irish were called Westmen because

Ireland was the westernmost country known

to Nordic people at that time.

We spot a whaling ship heading
out in hope of a catch.

It's one of only three countries

where commercial whaling
is still permitted,

although not without criticism
from conservationists.

Formed by underwater volcanic activity,

the Westmans are made up of
over 50 islands, pillars,

and rocks, all teeming
with bird and marine life.

The largest and only
populated one is Heimaey.

Measuring 13 1/2 square kilometers,

both the island and its
population continue to grow.

But humans aren't the sole inhabitants.

The archipelago also hosts the largest

puffin colony on earth.

An estimated 30% of the world's
puffins can be seen nesting

here in the summer months.

Although fishing has long
been Heimaey Island's

most important industry, a growing portion

of the local economy now depends
on puffin-related tourism.

Icelanders have always found creative ways

to utilize their natural resources,

and the island's small
airport is no exception.

Lava and ash from the most recent volcanic

eruption were used to refurbish
and extend the runway.

Landing at Vestmannaeyjar
Airport must be an extraordinary

experience for first-time visitors

since, on stepping out of the terminal,

you're greeted by a dominating volcano

only a few hundred meters away.

It's one of two on the
island that lie side by side

and are part of the
Vestmannaeyjar volcanic belt,

a system that covers almost
900 square kilometers.

The smaller volcano is
Helgafell, or Holy Mountain.

This 227 meter cinder cone
last erupted 5,000 years ago,

and is no longer considered to be active.

Its neighbor on the other
hand, has not been so quiet.

With no sign of seismic
activity for the moment,

Eldfell, or Fire Mountain,
makes a nice afternoon hike.

But a massive eruption just
a few decades ago resulted

in the town's nickname
Pompeii of the North.

On the 23rd of January 1973,
a 1600 meter crack burst

open on Eldfell's east side.

Glowing fountains of
lava spewed 150 meters

into the air for several weeks.

The eruption eventually slowed,

but lava continued to flow
for another five months.

By June, 417 houses were destroyed,

and the town was covered
with 250 million cubic meters

of ash and volcanic debris.

But the damage would have been much

greater had it not been
for a few brave souls

and a clever attempt to stop
the advancing wall of lava.

Firefighters laid 30
kilometers of pipeline

and used 43 pumps to douse the lava

with icy seawater from the North Atlantic.

It was the first such
attempt anywhere in the world

and the monumental effort paid off.

They were able to halt the
flow and save most of the town.

Geologically, the Westmans are quite new,

less than 10,000 years old.

But Icelanders and scientists from

around the world were
in for quite a surprise

when a totally new
island suddenly emerged.

Surtsey first appeared
one November day in 1963

as a column of thick, black
dust rising from the ocean.

By the second day, a mound of cooling

rock was protruding 10
meters above the waves.

The eruption continued
for another four years.

By then, the island had spread to nearly

three square kilometers and
reached a height of 170 meters.

Surtsey's unexpected appearance
offered an invaluable

opportunity for scientists.

Processes such as soil
creation and the development

of plant and wildlife species
could be directly observed.

Aside from members of the
island's small research center,

human contact with Surtsey
Island is strictly prohibited.

Restrictions also limit diving,

boating, and even flying nearby.

The select few allowed to
visit must take careful

precautions to avoid
accidentally introducing seeds

or insects into the island's ecosystem.

The United Nations organization, UNESCO,

saw Surtsey as a pristine
natural laboratory

to be treasured and protected.

And, as such, was declared a
World Heritage Site in 2008.

It's the new addition to the
spectacular Westman Islands

that continue to tell the story

of our forever changing planet.

A perfect place to end this journey.

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