Yuheng Lin

Chronicle of Iceland in the Holocene

In researching the chronicle of Iceland in the Holocene, a shift in the forces shaping the Icelandic landscapes was found. In ancient times, volcanic activities created Iceland's geological base. Moreover, with changes in temperature, the glaciers gradually accumulated and expanded, their movement resulted in a series of new geological landscapes such as moraines. The seasonal melting of glaciers encouraged the formation of water bodies, allowing mosses, shrubs as well as forests to grow.

When humans arrived in Iceland, they cut down forests, destroyed native grasslands and wetlands, began to transform the Icelandic landscape as they wished. Furthermore, after the Industrial Revolution, humans gained revolutionary power and began to invade nature on a large scale, becoming the dominant force shaping the landscape. The period of significant human impacts on the natural interface is known as the Anthropocene.

Field-Skaftafellsjökull & Historical Landform System

In order to capture some valuable design elements, it is needed to learn more about the dynamic system of the glacier. I selected the Skaftafellsjökull as my field due to its complex geological interface with the surrounding landscapes.

The volume and motion of glaciers were primarily impacted by temperature variation. During the Holocene ice age, Skaftafellsjökull was much larger and its immense volume caused it to push and flow across the landscapes, creating a towering push moraine from the crushed surface sediments. Fluctuations in temperature led to changes in its activity, therefore the moraines formed in different period varied in shape and volume.

Final Traces of Skaftafellsjökull in coming 200years

Extending the timescale to two centuries from now, we might meet an Iceland without glaciers. The rocks and sediments hidden beneath the glaciers will all be exposed to the surface, and the glaciers will drain into the lagoon as a network of rivers. The meltwater rivers, exposed bare surfaces and sediments, receding and rising glacier lines, appear to be the final traces of glacier's retreat.

A Growing Site & Proposal

Faced with the doomed end of the glacier, it is almost impossible for us to repair the loss of the glacier through ecological design or traditional landscape techniques. In my view, the only thing we can do should be simply record the last history of the glacier, reveal the cruelty of its death and remember this negative history. Therefore, I came up with a series of patterns applied to the entire Skaftafellsjökull area to help humans record and capture the last traces.

Firstly there will be a basic recording pattern consist of two huge guidance walls and some small rocky mark walls to indicate the rising ice line, just like creating the annual rings of glacier. This basic pattern will be established every few years, following the glacier's retreat process. The walls will be made of Icelandic basalt, imitate the structure of Icelandic cairns. Besides, a series of patterns with different functions and characteristics will be built to create diverse experiences. At the end of the glacier, there will be structures even larger than the basic pattern, called the Glacier Grave, which will witness the final demise of the glacier.

The upcoming drawings will give an outsider's view of how humans apply these patterns to create a kind of futuristic, chronicled landscape.

2030

In 2030, the Recording process began. The Recording Pattern1 'Ice Core' was established to mark the first glacial ice line. A bridge across the glacial lagoon connected the existing road to the glacial area. At this stage, glaciologists and geologists can study the retreat process based on materials and meltwater collected by the ‘Ice Core’.

2070

In 2070, Recording Pattern 2 and 3 were built. Formed moraines, water channel were created to better lead the glacial meltwater and sediments into the Recording Pattern1. As sediments and meltwater accumulated within the Pattern1 over decades, Remembering Pattern1 can be developed. Humans could have a sense of burial by another form of glacier, so that they could truly feel and remember the cruel demise of Skaftafellsjökull.

2130

2130, a great amount of meltwater entered glacier lagoon, flooding the bridge, parts of walkway and even the Recording Pattern1. Humans could only access the areas with patterns by boats. The formed moraines, the erodible wall in Recording Pattern 2 and 3 were destroyed by surface runoff, the collapsed materials and rivers strongly visualized the traces of the glacier. These 3 previous patterns interacted with the retreat process, formed a huge geological painting. Remembering pattern2 3 and 4 were set up in the later part to highlight the geological features of Iceland through the shaped geological spaces, allowing humans to experience the geological scars after the death of Skaftafellsjökull.

2200

2200, the glacier was approaching its final hour. Humans built Monument Pattern1 - the Grave of Glacier - around a small lagoon. There were raised viewing area and small memorial square in the grave, where humans could silently pray and view the last days of Skaftafellsjökull. The lagoon connected to a river, as if symbolizing the glacial demise, and humans watched this process in Remembering Pattern 5. 

100 years late...

Over the next 100 years, mosses and other ground cover plants took over the ground and dried river channel, the land and cold pattern walls began to come to life. The plants represent a kind of glacier’s rebirth. Based on this futuristic landscape,  the new generations built Monument Pattern2 behind the grave, a path to a new world without glaciers. 

The Traces of History

When humans looked back on their journey from grave's raised viewing area, they saw a ground painting of patterns, rivers and elements that told the story and history of Skaftafellsjökull. In this strong shock, they reflected on the past negative human impacts on nature. 

The Path to the New World

On the other side of history is the Path to the New World. Humans went to the last incarnation of the Skaftafellsjökull through the long, narrow path to the unknown, glacier-free world. What will new generations do when they set foot in this glacier-free Iceland? Will new generations repeat our past mistakes? It is hoped that the new humans will remember the past with reverence for nature and walk into the new future with courage and faith.