Jessý Potato

Kp7 (G3) geomagnetic storm conditions have been reached. If you're in high- or mid-latitudes in Europe, you should keep an eye on the sky! It won't be as dramatic as the famous October 10-11, 1024 storm (pictured below) but this could be beautiful nonetheless. #aurora #northernlights

A G2 geomagnetic storm warming has been issued for this evening, with models putting #northernlights arrival time ideal for North America. 1:00-4:00 GMT with ± 7 hrs for impact arrival tomorrow morning (tonight for places west of here in Iceland). Time zones are hard. But #aurora hunting is fun!

Are you in the mid-latitudes in the US, wondering what to look for? Potential arrival time: 8-11 pm CDT tonight. You're looking for pillars of red/pink on the north horizon. Why? Well, the highest lights in a pillar of aurora are reds and given the curvature of the earth, that's what you can see.

In absolutely wild Gary the Maine Coon news (yeah I know it's not #caturday): my cat does not like human food, utterly uninterested in chicken, bacon, cheese, etc.; but he is OBSESSED with Candy Corn. He comes running when he hears the bag, watches me eat a handful, begs and paws for an offering.

It's been a seismically active day here in Iceland, including an M3.4 that was felt overnight in the Reykjavík metro area. It's a reminder that our earthquakes are not always volcanic in nature and could be tectonic, relating to the continental rift and local faults.

In exciting Northern Lights news (since it's been oh-so rainy here all month in Iceland): the SMILE UVI (ultraviolet imager) captured its first images in July, and the ESA has just released these astounding shots of an aurora substorm ringing the north pole DURING midnight sun season.

Our second lagoon review is the year-old Laugarás Lagoon. I have gone a few times, and I now include this lagoon as a meal stop option for my Golden Circle Geology tour guests. I have mixed feelings about this lagoon. At first, I really liked it, and I still recommend it. But I have reservations.

While I do like that there's now a higher-end option in the Golden Circle, there are some drawbacks. Between the lagoon and the river feels very unfinished and dug-up. Is something going in there? Also, at night, the swim-up bars have the brightest lights. The night sky is completely obscured.

Our second lagoon review is the year-old Laugarás Lagoon. I have gone a few times, and I now include this lagoon as a meal stop option for my Golden Circle Geology tour guests. I have mixed feelings about this lagoon. At first, I really liked it, and I still recommend it. But I have reservations.

This lagoon is a multi-level lagoon overlooking the Hvítá (White River). The view of the river's bridge is lovely from afar. The architecture of the main building is stunning. And the lagoon has a huge, fun waterfall and lots of nooks and secluded seating areas. There is a sauna and cold plunge.

Let's do an update on Kīlauea because new developments are quite interesting: As eruptive episode 54 was winding down, new vents and lava flows began north of the main active area about a day ago. Six vents are now open at the crater. This is a deviation in eruption pattern established Dec '24.

Eruptive episodes had become shorter in duration but closer together in time as the system evolved (a psuedo pattern seen in some fissure systems here in Iceland too). But this new activity elsewhere in Halemaʻumaʻu crater begins a new chapter in this long-lived episode of this volcano's story.

Jæja! I asked and y'all answered. A local's review of all the different lagoons and nature baths here in Iceland, since so many new ones have opened. The most recent opening is Reykjaböðin, just outside Hveragerði next the Reykjadalur hot springs trailhead, less than hour from Reykjavík.

My biggest complaint was how far I had to walk on uneven gravel to the front door. Absolutely not accessible right now. The cost for just lagoon/sauna access is lower than other market players currently but for spa access it's a bit higher (but you get full spa use for three hours with ticket).

Jæja! I asked and y'all answered. A local's review of all the different lagoons and nature baths here in Iceland, since so many new ones have opened. The most recent opening is Reykjaböðin, just outside Hveragerði next the Reykjadalur hot springs trailhead, less than hour from Reykjavík.

The star of the show is the bathhouse. Ten spa stations that you can do in whatever order you want, as many times as you want. Designed to look like an old barn, yet feels sophisticated. Really unique offerings like a snow room, progressive shower walk, fireplace pool, & hot plunge w/nature sounds.

Jæja! I asked and y'all answered. A local's review of all the different lagoons and nature baths here in Iceland, since so many new ones have opened. The most recent opening is Reykjaböðin, just outside Hveragerði next the Reykjadalur hot springs trailhead, less than hour from Reykjavík.

The big pool "lagoon" sits at the foothills of a geothermal valley. At times it feels really secluded if looking from a certain angle, and then you turn around and can see the Ring Road descending from Hellisheiði. Overall look is spartan wood, architecturally clean lines with turf house touches.

While a lot of Europe and the US still struggles with 30°C weather (it's been 36°C+ at my family's home), autumn is definitely here in Reykjavik. The leaves have already started to change, the nights are growing darker and cooler, the moss is slowly losing color, and the air has that crisp smell.

Vá: a September Bongo™️