Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Our Iceland Saga: Waterfalls

Waterfalls are everywhere in Iceland. And not just slender, delicate roadside waterfalls - but massive, thundering waterfalls!

Here is a map locating the waterfalls in my pictures. The word "foss" in Icelandic means "waterfall" and so it is the last syllable of the name of every waterfall.







Now for the Falls themselves. The pictures start with Godafoss (top center on map) and work their way around the country clock-wise.

Godafoss



Selfoss in Jokulsa Canyon National Park

Dettifoss in Jokulsa Canyon National Park - this is the most powerful waterfall (in terms of volume of water moving per unit time) in all of Europe. Look for the people in the picture to get a sense of scale.





Litlanesfoss - I really liked the hexagonal columns of cooled lava surrounding this waterfall.




Hengifoss - and here I liked the red layers running horizontally in the cliffs.




Svartifoss in Skaftafell Natiuonal Park - more lava columns.



Skogarfoss - do you see the people hiking to the top? The sheep are content to graze along the bottom...





Seljalandsfoss - you could actually walk behind this one and take a picture through the curtain of water!





Gulfoss - this double layered waterfall is one of Iceland's most famous sites, and is situated in the "golden circle" right outside of the capital.



There were others, but nine seemed like enough! ;)

Tomorrow's pictures will feature some Icelandic animals - although, don't get your hopes up too high, we missed out on the puffins.. :(

3 comments:

Lori said...

Amazing sites.

Anonymous said...

How wonderful. Looks like you really enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

I love the waterfalls! So pretty!

-Natalie