Surrogate Modelling and Space Mapping For Engineering Optimization

Given the bafflingly ostentatious sounding title of this post, it must be readily apparent that Julian presented at another conference. An academic conference focused on the above topic provided all of us with the perfect opportunity to spend 10 days in Reykjavik – the beautiful capital of Iceland and the World’s northernmost capital city. 



Zoe pointing to Reykjavik on a map of Iceland.  Iceland is 103,000 sq km (roughly the size of the U.S. state of Kentucky) with a population of 320,000.  The population of Reykjavik is 200,000.



Reykjavik



Reykjavik

Straddling the European and North American continental plates, Iceland is highly volcanic with all its power and hot water supplied by the resulting geothermal activity (water played a prevailing role throughout our stay). There is abundant fresh, pure water that comes to the surface at temperatures exceeding the boiling point and must subsequently be cooled prior to residential distribution. Because of this, Iceland is one of the few countries of the World in which the quality of the tap water is guaranteed to be vastly superior to any bottled products. The water is so pure that it is piped to people’s home without any filtration or treatment at all.

In spite of the recent banking/currency crisis, the country retains a very high standard of living and its people enjoy one of the longest life expectancies in the World. The population seem universally well educated and intelligent with essentially everyone speaking a minimum of 3 languages – Icelandic, Danish and English – although many possess fluency in numerous additional languages. One observation we have often made is that, in Iceland, even the ugly people seem beautiful. But we trolls were made to feel quite welcome, anyway. On a related note, the Faroe Islands football (soccer) team were staying at the same hotel as us during our trip. At least one of us was impressed by that athletic, blond, Nordic look, and was quite happy to have them staying on the same floor as us and eating in the same restaurants.

Having visited the country several times, we are quite familiar with the layout of Reykjavik and know our way around various ins-and-outs of the city. Our hotel was located somewhat off the beaten path – away from the central core of the city – but with ready access to the University of Reykjavik (the conference location), the City’s only swimming beach, and the Perlan (a scenic overlook). However, since Reykjavik is such an extremely livable city, there were always numerous bike and walking trails throughout that provided ready access to all of the more central, downtown amenities and attractions.

Adjacent to the university, there is a sandy beach “fed” by the City’s surplus hot water. Consequently, although this beach resides in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic, the water temperatures in the swimming area actually falls within the rather pleasant 16C-22C (60F-72F) range throughout the year. Zoe REALLY wanted to experience swimming at this beach! However, over the course of our 10 days, we didn’t see the sun until the last 2 days – it was basically rain and cloud for the duration. For suitable consolation, Zoe was impressed by the hotel’s swimming pool and predictably had to swim in it every day. This pool was heated using the geothermal water supply. To give an idea of the geothermal experience, the hot tub was maintained naturally at 42C (108F), while the water in the pool, itself, had to be cooled down to 34C (93F). No wetsuit required even for Julian!


Reykjavik's beach.  The pool in the foreground is heated by the city's surplus hot water.



These chairs are on a small hill next to the beach.  So inviting with a great view in every direction.



So relaxing too.

On top of the hill adjacent to the hotel is the high point of the city, the Perlan. The Perlan consists of 5 giant, hot water tanks together with an indoor/outdoor sight-seeing platform, a Viking/saga museum and 2 restaurants all contained beneath a glass dome. The hot water is obtained from tapping into the country’s natural geothermal reserves and (once cooled appropriately) is used to supply both domestic hot water and domestic heating for the entire City. 

The Perlan



The Perlan peeking above the hill in a rare sunny moment.



The wind knows how to blow in Iceland!!  And nowhere better than the top of the hill next to the Perlan.



Interesting sculptures are found all over the city.  This one is outside the Perlan.



Just below the Perlan is a geothermal spot - always steaming and sometimes erupting as a geyser.



There she blows!



An Icelandic bee

Despite the less than stellar weather, we undertook a number of extracurricular activities over the course of our stay. Our first expedition was to go whale watching, since Zoe has developed an overt passion for sea mammals (dolphins and whales, in particular) and has never had the opportunity to observe them in their natural environment. Whale watching at the best of times provides no guarantees of sightings. On the day we went, the seas were extremely rough and turbulent – rendering the likelihood of a sighting and the pleasure of the experience quite low. But our ship’s captain was bound and determined to encounter something as the company guaranteed an opportunity to go out again for free should no whales be sighted. Our quest stretched into an epic voyage – on rough, grey seas, in the rain and the cold. Poor Zoe’s initial enthusiasm waned considerably as time went on. In spite of the turbulence and perhaps fighting jet-lag, there were several times in which she even fell asleep on her feet. Alas, our odyssey proved unsuccessful. And, all-in-all, it was definitely not the most enjoyable experience, though one we will remember and laugh about.

Asleep.

During one of the conference days, Zoe and Sara decided to go horseback riding on the Island of Videy (or Vithey if you employ the additional Icelandic phonetics – they have a letter “d” which is pronounced “th”). Videy is an uninhabited Island just off the coast of Reykjavik. Except for being led around a small ring on a small pony at various children’s events, this was the first time riding for Zoe. In spite of her inexperience, she was given her very own Icelandic horse to ride but, due to her age, was required to be led by one of the staff on a separate horse.  Showing no anxiety, Zoe spent the entire one-hour ride around the beautiful island engaged in deep conversation with her companions, both equine and human – well away from her Mother whose horse had a mind of its own. Zoe was absolutely thrilled with her entire riding experience. And yet another activity has been checked off her bucket list.

 

On the trail



One proud little girl.



To say our ride was scenic is an understatement.



Fortunately for us, the final conference dinner was held in the ultra-chic, 5-star revolving restaurant at the top of the Perlan – someone must endure life’s encumbrances. Regrettably, however, our city views were somewhat obstructed by the driving rainstorm – your condolences are graciously appreciated. The miserable outside conditions were more than ameliorated by our most affable table companions including Xin-She – a collaborator on some of Julian’s recent research projects who possesses a delightful British/Chinese sense of humour together with a ready laugh somewhat comparable to that of the Dalai Lama.



Julian and Xin-She hard at work.



As at all our international conferences, we arranged for a babysitter for Zoe through the hotel on the dinner night. This is always a considered a great treat for her – usually one of each trip’s memorable pleasures – since we are not able to do this with her at home. “Chengis” is the response to your logical follow-on question. On this particular evening, Zoe’s sitter was the beautiful (i.e. Icelandic), friendly Johanna. Zoe especially loved that Johanna both spoke and read English so well to her.


At the conclusion of the conference there was a 6-hour bus tour for attendees and their guests. The first stop was at Gullfoss (“Golden Waterfall”), the largest waterfall in Europe. Gullfoss is 3-tiered and cascades into an untouched natural environment that fortunately has not been blemished by any need to convert it into a source of hydro-electric power.


Gullfoss

The next stop was Geysir – the famous geothermal water vent that provided the origin for the word “geyser”. While the original Geysir seldom erupts anymore, there are approximately 30 hot pools and geysers in the immediate area.  This includes Strokkur, a geyser that shoots boiling water up to 40 meters (130 ft) into the air every few minutes.  One of the notable features of Iceland is that one can wander throughout such attractions without the impediment of excessive protective barriers (other than a piece of string used as a fence). Hence, we were able to stand close enough to Strokkur to become sufficiently dampened by its spray each time it erupted.

Strokkur erupting.



A large bubble forms over the vent for a couple seconds immediately preceding each eruption.



Strokkur in the background between eruptions.



A small pool of boiling water alongside the path.

Our final stop was at Thingvellir, the site of the first Icelandic parliament over a thousand years ago. Thingvellir lies in a valley between the North American and European tectonic plates, leading to the rather vigorous level of volcanic activity in the surrounding vicinity. We arrived at the lip of the North American plate with the receding edge of the European continental plate visible on the horizon.  The two plates are separating at the rate of 2 cm (almost 1 inch) per year.  

Standing alongside the easternmost edge of the North American continental plate.



With the North American plate behind us we are walking across the growing middle space on our way back to Europe, a full 22 cm (9 in) farther than when Julian and Sara were first here 11 years ago.



Moss growing on volcanic rock - typical Icelandic landscape.  There are 5,000 different kinds of moss in Iceland alone!



Our hotel room overlooked a domestic airport where lots of small planes came and went every day.  Zoe loved to sit at the window with our binoculars and count birds and watch planes.  She tallied them in a small notebook.


In the last two days of our trip, the rain stopped and the sun finally made an appearance. Channelling our inner Ahabs, we decided to cash-in our guarantees, push the boat out so-to-speak and give whale watching another try. This second opportunity could not have been more perfect. In contrast to the rough first voyage, this time the seas maintained a calm, glass-like surface throughout. Under these vastly improved conditions, we observed 3 minke whales feeding and innumerable schools of harbour porpoises. Zoe was absolutely thrilled to have seen some of her favourite animals up close in the wild. This was definitely one of her most memorable experiences of our holiday.

Minke whale



Zoe took our picture in our boat-supplied thermal coveralls.  "Make a funny face, Mommy and Daddy."



The whale watching boat cruised by an island where some of the summer's last puffins were hanging out before their annual migration out to sea.



Basking at the back of the boat.

Upon our return to port, we decided to venture along Reykjavik’s waterfront to a landmark Viking boat sculpture – shown in all tourist advertising – to take a few posterity pictures of Zoe and to take full advantage of the good weather. While at the sculpture, there were two locals fishing for mackerel in the harbour. What was fascinating about them was that their lines had 5 hooks on them and they were able to pull the fish out almost by the bucketful. It was rather peaceful to simply sit on the sea wall observing them and enjoying the natural beauty surrounding Reykjavik.

Along the Reykjavik sea wall



Viking boat sculpture



Watching two fishermen fish for mackeral.



Zoe acquired a stuffed horse and a stuffed orca after her horse riding and whale watching experiences.  They both insisted on sleeping with her and kept hogging her favourite yellow blanket which we never leave home without.

 On our final day we paid a visit to the Blue Lagoon, a 32,000 sq ft lagoon filled with 6 million litres of geothermally heated water. It is a must-see spa facility located in the middle of a massive lava field about a half hour drive from Reykjavik. The spa portion is related to the health benefits derived from the facility’s rich minerals and dark volcanic mud beauty products. The major attraction for us is to spend several hours in the large warm/hot, mineral-rich blue water pools – an almost surreal experience set outdoors in the middle of the moss-covered lava field on a 14 degree (57 F) day. The water is actually the run-off from the nearby geothermal energy powerplant. As our blog readers know, Zoe loves water. And Zoe really loved her day spent splashing around the Blue Lagoon.



The Blue Lagoon



Lunch beside the Blue Lagoon.

 Regrettably, our time in Iceland inevitably drew to a close. As with our recent visit to Lithuania, Zoe did not want to leave at the end of our stay. She decided that she now definitely needs to come back next year – and the year after – and then the year after that. Who are we to suppress such yearning? Iceland remains one of the few countries in the World in which we would always be content to visit, work, or live. We could not be happier that Zoe has now adopted this perspective as well.


On our first two visits to Iceland (both in June of prior years) the sun never set.  In August it sets around 11 PM but it was so cloudy all week during this visit that we never got to see it... until the last night.  A fitting end to our trip.



On our return flight, we flew over the tip of Greenland.  At 30,000 feet in the air, the clouds parted and offered us spectacular views of the rugged, icy land below us.  The glaciers flowing to the sea were our favourite sightings.