Iceland- the South and Southeast

Lögberg (law rock) at Þingvellir is the place where the Alþing (annual parliament of Iceland) used to meet from 930-1798. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%9Eingvellir www.iceland.de/virtuelle-islandreise/suedwestisland/thingvellir HFF!

At Gullfoss the river Hvítá descends from the highlands. The river has eroded away the sedimentary layers whereas the interspersed lava flows have withstood better and form the steps over which the water falls. Hvítágljúfur gorge I have replaced the panorama with a new version where I have closed a few "holes" by cloning. Made from 16 vertical shots in two rows. Canon EOS 6D, 24-105/4,0: F/8, 1/200, ISO 125

Angelica archangelica seedheads at Gullfoss Echte Engelwurz vor dem Gullfoss

Gullfoss is one of Iceland's best known waterfalls. There the river Hvitá which originates in Langjökull glacier drops over two 11 and 21m high cascades into a deep gorge. Hvítágljúfur gorge is up to 70m deep and 2,5 km long. The photos taken from the northern upper viewpoint show the 2nd cascade and the gorge.

The fence was probably designed to keep the lower path at Gullfoss free from avalanches. But that path was closed anyway;-) HFF!

Strokkur geyser erupts about every 10 minutes to a height of ca. 20m (see inset clickable photo). It lies in an area of silica sinter deposit in Haukadalur geothermal field, the remnant of Geysir volcanic system which consists of a basaltic central volcano and rhyolitic lava domes on the southern end of Langjökull fissure swarm. The big Geysir (which gave all geyers its name) is nearby and has erupted twice already this year after a long dormancy- it seems things are hotting up;-)

Strokkur geyser erupts regularly every few minutes. It lies in Haukadalur geothermal area on the southern end of the Langjökull fissure swarm. The big Geysir lies dormant nearby. The area has been experiencing repeated quake swarms and is expected to become volcanically more active with potential eruptions in Langjökull in the coming years/ decades.

One of the many hot springs at Þykkvuhverir in the geothermal field of Geysir.

Haukadalur high temperature geothermal area is known for its geyers, mudpools and hot springs. In autumn 2024 the area experienced a change with considerably heightend activity in many of the geothermal features. Strokkur geyser www.ipernity.com/doc/523247/36833892 erupts more often and Blesi (see note) which used to be a very calm hot spring has starting boiling. icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/news/2024/10/21/unusual_activity_many_geysers_are_more_powerful_tha

Seyðishólar are part of Grimsnes volcanic system which is only 5000-6000 years old and Iceland's youngest ( the better known crater Kerið is also part of Grimsnes). Seyðishólar have long been used as a quarry, the red colour is a sign of high iron content. In the heavy rain the colour of the stones was even more intense.

These falls in the river Þjórsá have the highest average flow rate (360 m³/s) of any waterfall in Iceland. Sadly its days might be numbered because there are plans for a dam and power station.

HFF everybody, forget about upload troubles and enjoy the weekend!

Hekla (1491m) is one of Iceland's most well known volcanoes and an unusual combination of fissure and stratovolcano. Viewed head on it has the perfect stratovolcano shape but from the side as in the photo it resembles an upturned boat. When Hekla erupts a several km long fire spewing fissure (Heklugjá) opens along the top. This and the fact that it erupts often and violently (once a man at 45km distance was killed by a lava bomb!) may have contributed to the medieval belief that Hekla is the gateway to hell. The note shows Hekla across Þjórsá river, shot from the moving bus and therefore not quite sharp at full size. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hekla Hekla ist einer von Islands bekanntesten Vulkanen. Sie ist eine Mischung aus Spalten- und Stratovulkan: von vorne hat sie die klassische Vulkanform, von der Seite wie hier ähnelt sie einem umgedrehten Boot. Wenn Hekla ausbricht, öffnet sich am "Kiel" eine mehrere km lange Spalte (Heklugjá), aus der Feuerfontänen schiessen. Dies und die Tatsache, dass sie häufig und heftig ausbricht, haben im Mittelalter dazu geführt, dass man glaubte, Hekla sei das Tor zur Hölle. Asche-/Tephraschichten der Hekla finden sich noch in weiter Entfernung und eine Lavabombe erschlug einmal einen 45km entfernten Bauern. Das PiP, Hekla vom Þjórsá-Fluss aus gesehen, ist aus dem fahrenden Bus und deshalb in voller Größe nicht optimal. icelandictimes.com/de/hekla-the-gateway-to-hell

Markarfljót valley and western side of Eyjafjallajökull seen from the Ring Road. Stóra Dímon is the rock in the middle.

Gljúfrabúi, the hidden waterfall, lies at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull volcano and is part of Katla Geopark. It is just 600m from much better known Seljalandsfoss and much less crowded. To get to the waterfall you either have to wade the stream or balance on wet rocks and once you are in front of the falls you get a full shower - I stayed outside;-) See note for context.

Gljúfrabúi, the hidden waterfall, is just a short walk from better known Seljalandsfoss. Lying under Eyjafjallajökull volcano, it is 40m high and mostly hidden by palagonite rocks in front of it. Getting a nearer view involves scrambling up the rocks or wading the river, both can be hazardous. Vertical panorama stitched from 6 photos.Inset a detail and the falls seen from a distance. www.katlageopark.com/geosites/seljalandsfoss-gljufrabui stuckiniceland.com/south-iceland/the-hidden-beauty-of-gljufrabui Gljúfrabúi, der vesteckte Wasserfall, ist einen kurzen Spaziergang vom bekannteren Seljalandsfoss entfernt. Er ist 40 m hoch, liegt unterhalb des Eylafjallajökull und ist weitestgehend von Palagonitfelsen verdeckt. Näher heran kommt man nur, wenn man entweder den Felsen hochklettert oder den Fluss durchwatet, beides nicht ganz ungefährlich. Vertikalpano aus 6 Aufnahmen, im PiP ein Detail und eine Gesamtaufnahme aus der Entfernung.

Cliffs of the former coastline at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull. The top of hidden waterfall Gljúfrabúi is just visible behind the troll. Die Klippen der früheren Küstenlinie unterhalb des Eyjafjallajökull. Der obere Teil des verborgenen Wasserfalls Gljúfrabúi ist gerade noch hinter dem Troll sichtbar.

Seljalandsfoss lies at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull and drops 60m over the cliffs of the former coastline. One can walk behind the waterfall but depending on the wind direction you can get rather wet.