7/24/2023 0 Comments Iceland best scenery![]() Many of the landscapes of Iceland are not formed by just the volcanic or glacier activity, but the two working in unison. The most notable of these is Jökulsárlón, which forms a vast lake in south-east Iceland brimming with enormous icebergs. The glacier lagoons, meanwhile, are formed at the base of glaciers, where their meltwater gathers. These ethereal spaces provide an unforgettable opportunity to understand the workings of a glacier from within. The ice caves are an incredibly rare marvel, accessible only in Iceland’s winter months. They also create some of the country’s most famous natural phenomena: the ice caves and glacier lagoons. ![]() Due to their elevation, they are also fantastic places from which to admire other parts of the country, should the weather be clear. These glaciers form an otherworldly landscape their colouration is spectacular, ranging from electric blue to deep grey, which is caused by ash from historic eruptions. Currently, just over 10% of Iceland is covered in glaciers. Whereas at other times, there has been no permanent ice. Interestingly, the amount of the country covered by these natural marvels has been ever-changing during the last ice age, it was completely covered in an ice sheet that reached mainland Europe. Rivers that cascade from the glaciers have also changed the face of the country. These vast ice caps have carved out fjords and valleys as they have crept down mountains towards the shore. Due to its position on the edge of the Arctic Circle, it has, throughout its millions of years of history, been shaped by countless glaciers. The second element that has largely shaped Iceland’s landscapes is ice. While they only erupt sporadically, with recent examples being Eyjafjallajökull in 2010 and Holuhraun in 2014, their activity is omnipresent throughout the country. This rift between the tectonic plates can even be seen on the surface at Þingvellir National Park.įurther evidence of the way that Iceland’s volcanoes have shaped the country can be witnessed in its conic volcanoes, dramatic mountain ridges, and countless fields of lava rock and black sand. The rest of Iceland is newer and therefore hot springs, steaming vents and colourful craters are found in almost every corner, particularly around this continental divide. It also explains the lack of geothermal activity in this region it has been pushed away from the active area of the rift. The Westfjords were the first part of Iceland to form this explains why the mountains here are flat-topped and sheer-sided, having been weathered by the elements for the longest. The reason Iceland has this volcanism is due to its position in relation to the tectonic plates it sits directly above the Mid-Atlantic Rift, which separates the North American and Eurasian continents.Īs this rift pulls apart, magma swells to the surface, becoming the lava that forms the base of Iceland’s landscapes. This makes Iceland a geologically young country with its ongoing volcanic activity, it’s still forming. ![]() The first of these was the fire, which brought the country bubbling into the world through the cold seas of the North Atlantic about sixteen million years ago. Iceland is truly the Land of Ice and Fire, its wilderness forged by these two elements. Finally, all guests should inform themselves on how to treat Iceland’s wilderness, to protect it for the generations to come and to avoid some hefty fines. There is no use hoping to explore the country’s fjords by travelling the sandy South Coast, for example, or looking for volcanic hot springs in the Westfjords.įurthermore, you should be aware that certain landscapes, such as those up on the glaciers or in the central highlands, will require you to book specific tours to explore them. In spite of the fact that every corner of Iceland has otherworldly natural beauty, visitors will still need to know where to go to seek out certain natural features. With a population of just over 300,000, two thirds of which live in one urban area, there are vast swathes of nature that seem as old as time. Part of what makes Iceland’s wilderness so unusual and special in the world is the fact that it is so untouched by human influence. Visitors to Iceland are often awed by the diversity of scenery that can be explored within a few hours, even for those staying in Reykjavík going out on day tours. Black-sand beaches electric blue ice caps dramatic fjords volcanic craters and endless lava fields can all be found within the country, often just a short drive from each other.
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