Hafsteinn Thor has always been interested in geology, nature, biology, and philosophy (and acting, directing, singing, and learning new instruments…he’s a multi-talented guy). But when he met his wife’s family, he was draw into their decades-old passion for stone and mineral collecting. Last year, he and his father-in-law finally set up a museum with the family’s collection…in the gas station of their small town in the south of Iceland. In this episode, I visit the Ljósbrá Steinasafn, the Hveragerdi Stone and Mineral Museum, to hear the family story and find out more about the gorgeous samples in their collection.

This is probably my favorite episode so far, so I hope you enjoy it! If you like the podcast, please take a second to write a review on iTunes. It really helps others find the podcast.

NThe music in the first part of this episode is by Hyson.

How to Listen to Museums in Strange Places

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Photos and Video of the Museum and the Family

Learn More About Icelandic Geology

• “How to explore Iceland through the eyes of a geologist“
• Icelandic Rocks and Minerals by Kristján Sæmundsson, Einar Gunnlaugsson, Grétar Eiríksson
• Information on the website of the Natural History Institute of Iceland
• “Geology and geodynamics of Iceland” by R.G. Trønnes, Nordic volcanological Institute, University of Iceland
• “Outline of Geology of Iceland” by Thor Thordarson
• Website of the Natural History Museum of Kópavogur
• Information on the website of Dr. Tobias Weisenberger