Perlan

Relevant to students of Global Hazards, the Challenge of Natural Hazards
Perlan offers an interactive and educational experience focused on Iceland’s unique natural phenomena. Geography students can explore exhibitions about glaciers, volcanoes, and geothermal energy. The observation deck provides panoramic views of Reykjavik and the surrounding landscapes, aiding in the study of urban and physical geography. The building itself is an architectural design classic consisting of a huge glass dome that rests on six district heating tanks. Mirrored slabs allow “the northern lights [to] approach the feet of men.” Icelandic painter Jóhannes Kjarval conceived the building as being designed to “correspond to the light of day and the symbols of the night.”