Monday, April 2, 2007

Cruiseships send smog over scenic Geiranger Fjord



Smog has begun settling over Norway's scenic Geiranger Fjord, which recently won a spot on the United Nations' "World Heritage" list. Emissions from the stream of larger and larger cruiseships sailing into the fjord are being blamed.

The quiet fjord tightly surrounded by high mountains can be especially vulnerable to air pollution, and smog has been forming of late like a grey-blue lid over the otherwise pristine area.
Results show that one of Norway's most popular tourist destinations, and one often featured in promotional materials, can have air quality that's on par with London or Glasgow.
Tourism officials are concerned over the consequences of the very tourism they've been promoting, and not just because of the potential environmental damage.

A small pool












This is a small constructed bathing pool in Bjarnarfjörður, the Westfjords, Iceland, that receives hot water from a hot spring nearby. It is probably medieval and is a protected archeological site. It is one of many pools, wells, etc. said to have been blessed by bishop Guðmundur the good (1160-1237). These sites were believed to have miraculous powers, as Guðmundur was a popular saint (never actually canonized though). Right below this pool, there is a modern swimming pool, that gets its water from the same source.