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In July, a nearly three-year scientific observation project was completed within Vatnajökull National Park in south-east Iceland, an area renowned for its wild and pristine nature and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. Through a distinctive collaboration between the University of Iceland, The IK Foundation [The Field Station Lab], and the Embassy of Sweden in Iceland, the autonomous Field Station Solander’s Eye was inaugurated in September 2022 within the interior of the Glacier Lagoon, on the untouched land that has emerged over the past four decades due to glacial melting.

Upon arriving at Glacier Lagoon, a thick accumulation of ice initially prevented transport for the first few days. Afterwards, after navigating lengthy detours through the icebergs, Field Station Lab’s staff, Søren Wiberg and Peter Wiberg, were able to reach the field station to begin dismantling operations.

The field station concept, developed within IK’s department, The Field Station Lab, utilises only a square metre of surface and observes the surrounding landscape using selected measuring apparatus. The collected data can be used directly or later in various research projects. The beauty of this concept is that large amounts of observational data can be collected without disrupting the environment being observed - we call it ”Observing without disturbing Nature”. For more background information about the project and the field station concept, interested readers can find details on the dedicated project site, ”Bridge Builder Expeditions - Iceland.”

The picture collage shows the location of the Field Station Solander’s Eye since 2022 and how the same place appears after its dismantling in 2025. No remains above or below ground are left, only slight wear of vegetation around the nearest square metre surface that the field station occupied, which can be attributed to both the people who serviced the station a few times and visiting reindeer and sheep.

Although a significant amount of data from the field station has already been utilised in various research and education projects at the University of Iceland, the work will continue to use and process the observations for many years to come. Naturally, all the data is available under IK’s Creative Commons deed and can be freely used by other projects, all aimed at enhancing understanding of this place, but also contributing a piece to the puzzle of understanding the planet Earth we all share.

The IK Foundation and The Field Station Lab thank you for a fruitful collaboration, with special thanks to everyone involved at the University of Iceland in both Reykjavík and Höfn, the Embassy of Sweden in Reykjavík, the Icelandic National Park Authority, and local businesses that assisted with boat transport, accommodation, and food.

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