22 September 2013 Part II Day 13 - Extreme Geology and Polar Plunge in Kuannersuit Disko Island, Greenland

Columnar BasaltBasalt is a common volcanic rock. It is usually gray to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. on Disko Island - August 23, 2013

BasaltBasalt is a common volcanic rock. It is usually gray to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. is an igneous rock formed from molten lava. Sometimes it cools in a formation called "columnar basalt." It creates some very beautiful patterns in the rock. We spent the afternoon kayaking among these formations on Disko Island. Our ice specialist, Ray Jourdain, came to the rescue when our day's plans were changed. He helped navigate the boat to Disko Island. It turned into a spectacular day.

Here is a 2-minute geology lesson that explains how columnar basalt forms. I like how the geologist compares it to the polygonal structures we saw previously in the tundra.

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I have only seen columnar basalt structures once before, towards the end of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.

Polar Plunge

Once all of the kayaks returned to the ship, we had the opportunity to take a swim in the 39°F water. I love to swim, and it would be the first time I immersed myself in a body of water north of the Arctic Circle. Michael Nolan, and CT Ticknor, naturalists and photo instructors on the ship, photographed our escapade. Enjoy the video of my plunge.

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The sunset provided a perfect ending to a great day.