Skaftárhreppur

Merveilles naturelles à Skaftárhreppur

Natural Wonders of South Iceland

This collection explores the dramatic geological landscape of Skaftárhreppur, shaped by the catastrophic 1783 Laki eruption. It features the 200-meter deep Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, the subglacial Katla volcano, and the vast Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Highlights include unique basalt formations at Kirkjugólf, the moss-covered volcanic cone of Mælifell, and numerous waterfalls such as the tiered Ófærufoss and the wind-swept Foss á Síðu. The area showcases the powerful intersection of active volcanic fissures and ancient glacial erosion.

Natural Wonders of South Iceland — Carte

Wojciech Strzelecki "Wojtrix" / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Scenic canyon with steep walls, a winding river, and a waterfall visible from an observation platform. Known for its geological significance and hiking opportunities.

47Mhg491Vgb / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Laki

Laki or Lakagígar is a volcanic fissure in the western part of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland, not far from the volcanic fissure of…

Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Katla Volcano

Katla is an active volcano in southern Iceland. This particular volcano has been very active historically with at least twenty documented…

TommyBee / Public domain

D

Mýrdalsjökull Glacier

Fourth largest Icelandic glacier, with an ice cape covering a volcano.

Borvan53 / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Ófærufoss Waterfall

Ófærufoss is a waterfall situated in the Eldgjá chasm in the western part of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland.

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 3.0

F

Lómagnúpur

A 688-meter-high palagonite cliff and prominent landmark located along the Ring Road, known for its sheer vertical face.

Nave111 / Public domain

G

Fagrifoss

Fagrifoss is waterfall situated in Southeast Iceland near the Lakagígar region.

Bromr / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Stjórnarfoss

A symmetrical waterfall with two distinct drops, located near the village of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

Bultro / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Systrafoss

Two parallel waterfalls that flow from the lake Systravatn over the mountain edge above Kirkjubæjarklaustur.

my discussion page / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Foss á Síðu

A slender waterfall dropping from basalt cliffs, notable for its water occasionally blowing upwards during strong winds.

Boaworm / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Grímsvötn

Grímsvötn is an active volcano with a fissure system located in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland.

cogdogblog / CC0

L

Laufskálavarða

A lava ridge where travelers traditionally add stones to cairns for good luck when crossing the Mýrdalssandur desert.

M

Peak

A distinct, moss-covered green volcanic cone rising from the black sand plains of the Mælifellssandur desert.

N

Kirkjugólf

An 80-square-meter expanse of hexagonal basalt columns, eroded flat by the sea to resemble a paved church floor.

Anselmo Marinho / CC-BY-SA

O

Háalda

A peak in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve offering panoramic views of the Eldgjá volcanic fissure and the southern highlands.