Category Archives: Landscape

Landscape

Eldgjá Canyon – South East Interior

Eldgjá

Eldgjá canyon was formed in an eruption in the year 939 – 940 and the lava it produced is typical for the Katla Volcanic System.  It is a 75 km long crack, up to 600 meters wide and 200 meters deep – the longest volcanic canyon in the world.  The eruption produced about 4.5 km3 of aerosols and 18 to 19 km3 of lava which spread over 800 km2 – making it the largest lava field in historic times.

The stone arch in 1977

Ófærufoss is an interesting waterfall that was formed in the eruption. The waterfalls are two and there used to be a very spectacular stone arch across the lower one. It was very popular to walk over this stone bridge but, alas, in spring floods in 1993 the stone arch collapsed.

Ófærufoss without the stone arch

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Landscape, Weather

Brighter days

In February the sun crawls a little bit higher in the sky. We feel its rays warming up our days albeit just slightly.  After the darkness of December and January it feels nice to go out during midday to feel its rays on ones skin. Although the weather has been very turbulent we have had a few nice days in the last couple of weeks as these photos show.

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Landscape

Frost formations

Frost Boils, ca. one foot in diameter, South Iceland.

Circles or “Frost Boils” are formed when wet surfaces and mud freezes. This happens where there is no vegetation to bind the soil. The soil expands and pushes up the gravel that is in the way, the bigger stones moving outwards to the sides creating a circle. These rings are about one foot in diameter but in the highlands where there is permafrost they can become several meters.

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Atmosphere, Landscape, Weather

Winter Solstice

Today, December 21, is the northern winter solstice. It is when the sun’s elevation in the sky is at its lowest, i.e. the shortest day of the year and the longest night. Here in Selfoss  sunrise  was at 11:15 and sunset at 15:29 and the sun is just 2.7° over the horizon at midday.

After tomorrow the days will start to get longer, something almost everyone looks forward to. Happy Solstice 🙂

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Landscape

Autumn in the highlands

It is high autumn and the scenery has changed colours. Already there have been nights with temperatures below zero.

Despite autumn storms with strong winds and rain, we have beautiful days in between. These photoes were taken last weekend when we enjoyed the stillness and colours of the serene autumn atmosphere in the highlands.

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Atmosphere, Landscape, Weather

The midnight sun

It is summer solstice, the shortest night of the year and the longest day of the year.  Icelandic summer nights are ideal for outings and camping. No darkness makes everything easier especially for those who are afraid of the dark.

There is little that beats the beauty of the midnight sun. In the middle of summer the sun  sets after midnight and is up again before three in the night so there is more or less daylight  also at nighttime.

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Landscape

Brúarfoss Waterfall

The waterfall Brúarfoss has suddenly become a popular scenic attraction in South Iceland.  To get there one has to walk for about 20 minutes from a dirt road which was almost exclusively  used by the ones staying in the summer houses in the area. Some very adept photographers took some more than amazing photos of the waterfall which went viral, – and Voilà! Click here

The path to the waterfall is a mess. In April when we went there the only suitable footwear was wellies. So before you go consider whether you want to spoil your shoes or make do with watching amazing photos on-line.

Note: This spring landowners were given a grant to construct a footpath from the main road. That means the hike will in future take about one hour.

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Landscape

Hólmatungur – Jökulsárgljúfur National Park

Hólmatungur is a beautiful area in Jökulsárgljúfur Canyon with lush green vegetation and spectacular rock formations. It is on the  hiking trail alongside River Jökulsá á Fjöllum, one of the most scenic hiking trails in Iceland.

In Hólmatungur water bubbles up from the ground and falls down some ridges into River Jökla. It is an interesting area with some very special natural formations.

Hólmatungur is part of Jökulsárgljúfur Nationa Park.

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