Rock Deformation

My first job out of university was mapping geological structures out in the desert in Utah, and writing software to piece the information back together in silico. So, shortly after we leave the hut, when we spot this incredible road cutting, we have to stop. Even the kids are vaguely impressed that apparently ‘hard’ rocks can exhibit toothpaste-like deformation styles under the right conditions, and given enough time.

Liz and I fawn over these textbook structures and speculate on the mineralogy of a vivid green layer (not shown). It’s friable, green, micaceous nature suggests glauconite, but I’m not convinced that’s an appropriate mineral for these metamorphic facies. Isn’t glaucophane more appropriate here? Oh well, the last metamorphic petrology I studied was over twenty years ago.

We drive on to Sandane, to use the Supercharger there. We arrive in an epic torrential downpour, plug the car in, and make a dash for the nearest, and probably only, café for lunch.

With the car fully charged we head west. We must cross Nordfjorden, delightfully on one of the new battery-electric ferries. Almost silent, without vibration, and with none of that horrible blue smoke so characteristic of marine diesels running on low-grade fuel oil. Apparently this, the first all-electric ferry route in Norway, cuts costs by 80%, as well as being vastly cleaner and more pleasant.

Onwards, along the north side of Nordfjorden, and over an impressive viaduct on to the island of Vågsøy, to the campsite at Refviksanden, just behind an impressive silver-sand beach. It’s raining heavily, but we get the tent up, and let the kids play on their Nintendos for an hour while the weather clears. We’re able to cook outside, and after the kids have gone to bed, we’re treated to a long and slow high-latitude sunset over the ocean.