Jessý Potato
@markdownhandsup.bsky.social
The Girl with the Star Wars Tattoo. Recovering geoscientist. 56 countries. I have opinions & adventures. Reykjavík. KC born; SG bred.
One of a geologist's worst nightmares in back-to-back posts.
Science infrastructure funding saves lives.
Science communication and education saves lives.
Science saves lives.
Science infrastructure funding saves lives.
Science communication and education saves lives.
Science saves lives.
November 9, 2025 at 1:29 PM
One of a geologist's worst nightmares in back-to-back posts.
Science infrastructure funding saves lives.
Science communication and education saves lives.
Science saves lives.
Science infrastructure funding saves lives.
Science communication and education saves lives.
Science saves lives.
Just in time for #caturday, it's Gary's 2nd birthday today. I call him Houdini because he's somehow managed to make over a dozen bouncy balls disappear over the past two years.
A big happy birthday to this amazing cat, the sweetest boy, my Maine Coon runt ♥️🎂
A big happy birthday to this amazing cat, the sweetest boy, my Maine Coon runt ♥️🎂
November 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Just in time for #caturday, it's Gary's 2nd birthday today. I call him Houdini because he's somehow managed to make over a dozen bouncy balls disappear over the past two years.
A big happy birthday to this amazing cat, the sweetest boy, my Maine Coon runt ♥️🎂
A big happy birthday to this amazing cat, the sweetest boy, my Maine Coon runt ♥️🎂
As I'm starting to build my company (short pitch: travel & events for nerds here in Iceland), I'm beginning to design some early content for the site.
And on the first things I've been asked in almost a decade here is: when is the best time to visit. Well, that depends on your goals for the trip!
And on the first things I've been asked in almost a decade here is: when is the best time to visit. Well, that depends on your goals for the trip!
November 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
As I'm starting to build my company (short pitch: travel & events for nerds here in Iceland), I'm beginning to design some early content for the site.
And on the first things I've been asked in almost a decade here is: when is the best time to visit. Well, that depends on your goals for the trip!
And on the first things I've been asked in almost a decade here is: when is the best time to visit. Well, that depends on your goals for the trip!
Tomorrow night's full moon is the closest full moon of the year. Here we see the waxing gibbous rise over Reykjavík this afternoon.
What I love about this time of year is how pronounced the earth's shadow and the pinky-peach Venus Belt become in the sky at dawn and twilight.
What I love about this time of year is how pronounced the earth's shadow and the pinky-peach Venus Belt become in the sky at dawn and twilight.
November 4, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Tomorrow night's full moon is the closest full moon of the year. Here we see the waxing gibbous rise over Reykjavík this afternoon.
What I love about this time of year is how pronounced the earth's shadow and the pinky-peach Venus Belt become in the sky at dawn and twilight.
What I love about this time of year is how pronounced the earth's shadow and the pinky-peach Venus Belt become in the sky at dawn and twilight.
Forgot to update you all on how much snow we actually received here in Reykjavík, and then how quickly in melted.
First picture is what I shared mid-day Tuesday. Second picture was afternoon Tuesday. Third picture was this weekend.
Still can't open my door, which is impeding my aurora scouting!
First picture is what I shared mid-day Tuesday. Second picture was afternoon Tuesday. Third picture was this weekend.
Still can't open my door, which is impeding my aurora scouting!
November 4, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Forgot to update you all on how much snow we actually received here in Reykjavík, and then how quickly in melted.
First picture is what I shared mid-day Tuesday. Second picture was afternoon Tuesday. Third picture was this weekend.
Still can't open my door, which is impeding my aurora scouting!
First picture is what I shared mid-day Tuesday. Second picture was afternoon Tuesday. Third picture was this weekend.
Still can't open my door, which is impeding my aurora scouting!
Maybe this is a touch of a 'tism, as the kids would say, but @bsky.app having a shadowed 3D app icon while all my other apps are flat, is making me crazy. I might have to move the app off my main screen just so I don't have to look at this mismatched design styles.
#sorrynotsorry #graphicdesign
#sorrynotsorry #graphicdesign
October 30, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Maybe this is a touch of a 'tism, as the kids would say, but @bsky.app having a shadowed 3D app icon while all my other apps are flat, is making me crazy. I might have to move the app off my main screen just so I don't have to look at this mismatched design styles.
#sorrynotsorry #graphicdesign
#sorrynotsorry #graphicdesign
Absolute chaos in Reykjavík, Iceland as an early season snowstorm has hit the city.
Busses are stuck, police have urged everyone to drop what they're doing and go home, shops are closed.
My balcony is now "full" and the heavy snow is not expected to start for another few hours.
Busses are stuck, police have urged everyone to drop what they're doing and go home, shops are closed.
My balcony is now "full" and the heavy snow is not expected to start for another few hours.
October 28, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Absolute chaos in Reykjavík, Iceland as an early season snowstorm has hit the city.
Busses are stuck, police have urged everyone to drop what they're doing and go home, shops are closed.
My balcony is now "full" and the heavy snow is not expected to start for another few hours.
Busses are stuck, police have urged everyone to drop what they're doing and go home, shops are closed.
My balcony is now "full" and the heavy snow is not expected to start for another few hours.
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness :)
October 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you happiness :)
Exactly 300 days until a big Partial Solar Eclipse over the UK. Totality over Iceland and part of Spain. 🔭 🧪
October 16, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Terrible or fantastic news, depending upon your tolerance for all things festive and jolly:
IKEA Iceland has already put up their infamous Christmas goat. Third week of October.
Why is it infamous, you may ask? Well almost every year, it somehow burns down. Lightning. Arson. The gods. Somehow.
IKEA Iceland has already put up their infamous Christmas goat. Third week of October.
Why is it infamous, you may ask? Well almost every year, it somehow burns down. Lightning. Arson. The gods. Somehow.
October 15, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Terrible or fantastic news, depending upon your tolerance for all things festive and jolly:
IKEA Iceland has already put up their infamous Christmas goat. Third week of October.
Why is it infamous, you may ask? Well almost every year, it somehow burns down. Lightning. Arson. The gods. Somehow.
IKEA Iceland has already put up their infamous Christmas goat. Third week of October.
Why is it infamous, you may ask? Well almost every year, it somehow burns down. Lightning. Arson. The gods. Somehow.
Omg I love this country:
Elves (and apparently a ghost, too) have approved of finishing bridge construction here in Iceland, according to government sources. I guess we can consider and help marginalized and at-risk communities after all.
grapevine.is/news/2025/10...
Elves (and apparently a ghost, too) have approved of finishing bridge construction here in Iceland, according to government sources. I guess we can consider and help marginalized and at-risk communities after all.
grapevine.is/news/2025/10...
Elves Approve Road Construction Project In South Iceland
According to the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (Vegagerðin), elves living in Efri-Laugardælaeyja have approved the construction of a bridge...
grapevine.is
October 13, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Omg I love this country:
Elves (and apparently a ghost, too) have approved of finishing bridge construction here in Iceland, according to government sources. I guess we can consider and help marginalized and at-risk communities after all.
grapevine.is/news/2025/10...
Elves (and apparently a ghost, too) have approved of finishing bridge construction here in Iceland, according to government sources. I guess we can consider and help marginalized and at-risk communities after all.
grapevine.is/news/2025/10...
Something is happening on my end. It's very early days, but I've got a website and some socials brewing.
Looking forward to sharing this journey with you: Volcanoes! Auroras! DnD! Sagas! Books! Games! Nature! Your special interest, but make it travel 🩵
sidequesticeland.com
Looking forward to sharing this journey with you: Volcanoes! Auroras! DnD! Sagas! Books! Games! Nature! Your special interest, but make it travel 🩵
sidequesticeland.com
Sidequest: Iceland
Get ready to geek out in Iceland.
sidequesticeland.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Something is happening on my end. It's very early days, but I've got a website and some socials brewing.
Looking forward to sharing this journey with you: Volcanoes! Auroras! DnD! Sagas! Books! Games! Nature! Your special interest, but make it travel 🩵
sidequesticeland.com
Looking forward to sharing this journey with you: Volcanoes! Auroras! DnD! Sagas! Books! Games! Nature! Your special interest, but make it travel 🩵
sidequesticeland.com
I spoke to the local evening news last night about renewed calls for oil exploration off the northeast coast of Iceland.
While I'm pro-science and never against collecting more data, this is not a play I would want to risk my tax dollars and pristine nature on.
www.visir.is/g/2025277808...
While I'm pro-science and never against collecting more data, this is not a play I would want to risk my tax dollars and pristine nature on.
www.visir.is/g/2025277808...
Efast um að olíuleit beri árangur - Vísir
Litlar líkur eru á því að olíuleit á Drekasvæðinu beri árangur, segir jarðfræðingur. Staðhæfingar Viðskiptaráðs og umræðan byggi á úreldum gögnum.
www.visir.is
September 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I spoke to the local evening news last night about renewed calls for oil exploration off the northeast coast of Iceland.
While I'm pro-science and never against collecting more data, this is not a play I would want to risk my tax dollars and pristine nature on.
www.visir.is/g/2025277808...
While I'm pro-science and never against collecting more data, this is not a play I would want to risk my tax dollars and pristine nature on.
www.visir.is/g/2025277808...
Your boos mean nothing to me; I've seen what makes you cheer.
September 12, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Your boos mean nothing to me; I've seen what makes you cheer.
Spent the weekend in the Highlands of Iceland filming a documentary about geology, rivers, and the water cycle here.
It's always an adventure to get up into the wild terrain, and I love being among some of the world's most unique, surreal scenery. And of course close to some big volcanoes.
It's always an adventure to get up into the wild terrain, and I love being among some of the world's most unique, surreal scenery. And of course close to some big volcanoes.
September 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Spent the weekend in the Highlands of Iceland filming a documentary about geology, rivers, and the water cycle here.
It's always an adventure to get up into the wild terrain, and I love being among some of the world's most unique, surreal scenery. And of course close to some big volcanoes.
It's always an adventure to get up into the wild terrain, and I love being among some of the world's most unique, surreal scenery. And of course close to some big volcanoes.
It was a big week for northern lights here in the far north as it now gets dark enough to really enjoy the show. A CME blessed our skies, although we were fighting clouds throughout SW Iceland.
More to come this weekend, solar forecast looks good. Hope the terrestrial forecast cooperates. #aurora
More to come this weekend, solar forecast looks good. Hope the terrestrial forecast cooperates. #aurora
September 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
It was a big week for northern lights here in the far north as it now gets dark enough to really enjoy the show. A CME blessed our skies, although we were fighting clouds throughout SW Iceland.
More to come this weekend, solar forecast looks good. Hope the terrestrial forecast cooperates. #aurora
More to come this weekend, solar forecast looks good. Hope the terrestrial forecast cooperates. #aurora
In more Icelandic cat news, the police and special mechanics team had to be called to rescue a cat trapped in a Tesla. And the newspaper reported extensively on it.
We take cat rescue very seriously here. Like the cat that was kidnapped and they sent an entire swat team after it. #catsky
We take cat rescue very seriously here. Like the cat that was kidnapped and they sent an entire swat team after it. #catsky
August 31, 2025 at 8:48 PM
In more Icelandic cat news, the police and special mechanics team had to be called to rescue a cat trapped in a Tesla. And the newspaper reported extensively on it.
We take cat rescue very seriously here. Like the cat that was kidnapped and they sent an entire swat team after it. #catsky
We take cat rescue very seriously here. Like the cat that was kidnapped and they sent an entire swat team after it. #catsky
Long time, no chat! I'm going to try to be back more in the coming months; you'll see soon why. Are we still using this app?
I was this month's Lava Academy Podcast guest, as a geologist here in Iceland, talking science communication & what makes Iceland unique.
www.lavashow.com/blog/lava-ac...
I was this month's Lava Academy Podcast guest, as a geologist here in Iceland, talking science communication & what makes Iceland unique.
www.lavashow.com/blog/lava-ac...
Geologist Jessica Poteet Discusses Lava, and Living in Iceland on the Lava Academy Podcast - Lavashow
Geologist Jessica Poteet shares her journey, insights on Iceland’s eruptions, and love for lava in the new Lava Academy Podcast.
www.lavashow.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Long time, no chat! I'm going to try to be back more in the coming months; you'll see soon why. Are we still using this app?
I was this month's Lava Academy Podcast guest, as a geologist here in Iceland, talking science communication & what makes Iceland unique.
www.lavashow.com/blog/lava-ac...
I was this month's Lava Academy Podcast guest, as a geologist here in Iceland, talking science communication & what makes Iceland unique.
www.lavashow.com/blog/lava-ac...
New eruption in Iceland alert! It's exciting and the situation with the air quality and instability of the growing fissure has kept us on our toes.
That said, the eruption is very localized, not affecting infrastructure, and will most likely be short-lived. So just enjoy watching new earth be born!
That said, the eruption is very localized, not affecting infrastructure, and will most likely be short-lived. So just enjoy watching new earth be born!
July 16, 2025 at 1:20 PM
New eruption in Iceland alert! It's exciting and the situation with the air quality and instability of the growing fissure has kept us on our toes.
That said, the eruption is very localized, not affecting infrastructure, and will most likely be short-lived. So just enjoy watching new earth be born!
That said, the eruption is very localized, not affecting infrastructure, and will most likely be short-lived. So just enjoy watching new earth be born!
Wanted to show off this amazing installation I had put in on my dining room wall for Gary the Cat.
I conceptualized the idea, and my friends at OlaVera designed, built, and installed it. They specialize in sustainable, bespoke furniture.
The table, with cat hidey-holes, is thrifted wood and metal.
I conceptualized the idea, and my friends at OlaVera designed, built, and installed it. They specialize in sustainable, bespoke furniture.
The table, with cat hidey-holes, is thrifted wood and metal.
June 27, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Wanted to show off this amazing installation I had put in on my dining room wall for Gary the Cat.
I conceptualized the idea, and my friends at OlaVera designed, built, and installed it. They specialize in sustainable, bespoke furniture.
The table, with cat hidey-holes, is thrifted wood and metal.
I conceptualized the idea, and my friends at OlaVera designed, built, and installed it. They specialize in sustainable, bespoke furniture.
The table, with cat hidey-holes, is thrifted wood and metal.
Hey #bluesky friends and followers! Sorry I've been MIA. I've been dealing with some health issues, but I'm slowly feeling better.
Not too much geology news here in Iceland anyway, and the midnight sun is keeping the northern lights at bay. But hopefully we can talk volcanoes and aurora again soon!
Not too much geology news here in Iceland anyway, and the midnight sun is keeping the northern lights at bay. But hopefully we can talk volcanoes and aurora again soon!
June 25, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Hey #bluesky friends and followers! Sorry I've been MIA. I've been dealing with some health issues, but I'm slowly feeling better.
Not too much geology news here in Iceland anyway, and the midnight sun is keeping the northern lights at bay. But hopefully we can talk volcanoes and aurora again soon!
Not too much geology news here in Iceland anyway, and the midnight sun is keeping the northern lights at bay. But hopefully we can talk volcanoes and aurora again soon!
What's one thing you're obsessed with? Mine is to be able to accurately complain (or not) about Reykjavík summer weather, with the use of real data.
Behold: new May 2025 data. Not only the warmest May on record ever, but the largest deviation from the mean since I started my records in 2018.
Behold: new May 2025 data. Not only the warmest May on record ever, but the largest deviation from the mean since I started my records in 2018.
June 5, 2025 at 5:23 PM
What's one thing you're obsessed with? Mine is to be able to accurately complain (or not) about Reykjavík summer weather, with the use of real data.
Behold: new May 2025 data. Not only the warmest May on record ever, but the largest deviation from the mean since I started my records in 2018.
Behold: new May 2025 data. Not only the warmest May on record ever, but the largest deviation from the mean since I started my records in 2018.
May 26, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Just finished taking my Icelandic test for citizenship. I was definitely very stressed.
It's so funny what your brain blanks on in high stress situations versus what you fall back on. I just kept talking about eldgos and kötturinn minn.
Here, Ásgeir helped me study last night.
It's so funny what your brain blanks on in high stress situations versus what you fall back on. I just kept talking about eldgos and kötturinn minn.
Here, Ásgeir helped me study last night.
May 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Just finished taking my Icelandic test for citizenship. I was definitely very stressed.
It's so funny what your brain blanks on in high stress situations versus what you fall back on. I just kept talking about eldgos and kötturinn minn.
Here, Ásgeir helped me study last night.
It's so funny what your brain blanks on in high stress situations versus what you fall back on. I just kept talking about eldgos and kötturinn minn.
Here, Ásgeir helped me study last night.
The lupine are blooming extra early this season due to unseasonably sunny & warm weather all spring. I checked my records, and the last time they bloomed in May was 2020.
So, if you're planning to come to photograph Iceland's beautiful invasive flower, you need to come now.
Pix from today's walk 📸
So, if you're planning to come to photograph Iceland's beautiful invasive flower, you need to come now.
Pix from today's walk 📸
May 20, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The lupine are blooming extra early this season due to unseasonably sunny & warm weather all spring. I checked my records, and the last time they bloomed in May was 2020.
So, if you're planning to come to photograph Iceland's beautiful invasive flower, you need to come now.
Pix from today's walk 📸
So, if you're planning to come to photograph Iceland's beautiful invasive flower, you need to come now.
Pix from today's walk 📸