If this sperm whale, seen here diving off the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland had died and washed ashore centuries ago, Icelanders might have burned its bones as biofuel.Photo by Terry Whittaker/Minden Pictures
If this sperm whale, seen here diving off the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland had died and washed ashore centuries ago, Icelanders might have burned its bones as biofuel.Photo by Terry Whittaker/Minden Pictures
So when burned does it give off a soot like pine tar leading to a chimney fire ?
The earliest settlers in Iceland denuded the land of most of the forests where it was easiest for forests to grow (which is not most of Iceland).
The felled the trees for their homes, for their ships and boats, and for fuel. (They hadn’t yet learned how to convert the geothermal sources for reliable heating of homes).
I think it was by the second century of settlement, most of the biggest forests in Iceland were but a fraction of what they had been.
Now Iceland is learning that they can actually grow trees on the old lava fields (a big part of the Icelandic landscape). They have a national reforestation plan going.
Sven, my mother warned me to stay in Norway and not follow you to this God forsaken place! No trees and we have to burn bones to keep from freezing!
