My second trip to Finland had to be in winter. Well, not winter absolutely – but the lakes still had to be frozen if we were to have any chance of drilling.
Why did we want to drill in a lake? I hear you ask…
To explain: We were looking for kimberlite pipes – the host rock for diamonds. A typical kimberlite intrusion looks like an oversized carrot in the ground. It is the result of super-duper, hot molten lava from the mantle that has punched its way upwards through the Earth’s crust. Kimberlite weathers more readily than other rock-types, such as granite, so the resulting surface topography can often be visible as a circular depression. In watery places, like Finland, these depressions are often lakes. I’m sure you will agree that it isn’t particularly easy to drill in the middle of a lake. Luckily for us, the winter had nicely frozen a good number of perfectly circular lakes.
Up near the Arctic Circle – the lakes and rivers were still frozen in April-early May, but the weather was not nearly so cold as mid-winter.
Mind you, in saying that – I distinctly remember a few nights registering -35C on the thermometer – and there were a couple of late afternoons, walking back from the sauna to the chalet, where icicles formed on my hair! – It was only a 100m stroll!!
Photography was somewhat limited to trees and snow – with weak and watery sunlight. The sun was probably already setting around lunch-time 😉
You can tell I was quite happy taking photos of trees. There were a couple of stand-outs – curious, natural sculptures:
And there were plenty of forest shots, too:
It was also on this trip that I saw the most fantastic display of the Northern Lights. Alas, I took no photographs to bear witness to my testimony. It was at 3am, on return from visiting a drill-rig. Yes, we were drilling 24 hours a day, which meant that we had to be available to check the progress at any given moment – 24 hours a day. I’m not complaining though, had it not been for being an “on-call Geologist” – I might never have seen the Northern Lights at all!
Near Rovaniemi, Finland – April/May 1996
Was that sign post in Rovaniemi? I think I have seen it. We were in the area a few years ago, but it was just before the snow. I need to go back!
Yes! That signpost is also at the Santa Land place, if I remember correctly. My photo is a little bit grainy and out of focus – but hey, that’s just like my memory 😉
amazing pictures, breathtaking views, thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you orbital decay – I’m glad you enjoyed the photos 🙂
Rudolph et. al. 🙂
hee hee 🙂
thanks for stopping by!
Beautiful photos! Love it when the snowfalls are heavy enough to coat the tree branches. That “Boughing to pressure” photo is really unusual.
Thanks Lisa – yes, that tree was really unusual, although if I remember there were more like it, but they were not so clear for photographing.
It’s a very beautiful place although it’s very cold.
I like simple life and respect nature things.
Hi cocomino – simplicity in nature is by far the most beautiful 🙂
Beautiful pictures … and drilling in a lake ! What will you get up to next ?
It’s wonderful to see life from so many different places on other blogs. Thanks.
Thanks Sallyann – I know, it would appear that I some ridiculous things!!
I’ve been to Finland twice now, and both times I was stunned by its beauty, and by how cold it was! Great blog, hanks for sharing!
Hi fabulousspirit – I also only managed to visit twice, but that amounted to about 3 months in total. I absolutely loved the place – cold or not! The scenery is incredibly beautiful.
Thanks for the visit and leaving a comment 🙂