Svartifoss, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is among the most renowned waterfalls of Iceland despite its small volume of water.
The narrow strand of water framed with dark and long basaltic columns in the horse shoe shaped gorge is very impressive.
The waterfall is in Skaftafell National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which give rise to its name. The hexagonal columns were formed inside a lava flow which cooled extremely slowly, giving rise to crystallization. Similar well-known lava formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, and on the island of Staffa in Scotland.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.
Cited from:
www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_svartifoss.htm
and:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svartifoss
289
Svartifoss, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland
Svartifoss (Black Fall) is among the most renowned waterfalls of Iceland despite its small volume of water.
The narrow strand of water framed with dark and long basaltic columns in the horse shoe shaped gorge is very impressive.
The waterfall is in Skaftafell National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which give rise to its name. The hexagonal columns were formed inside a lava flow which cooled extremely slowly, giving rise to crystallization. Similar well-known lava formations are seen at the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, and on the island of Staffa in Scotland.
The base of this waterfall is noteworthy for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water wears down the edges.
These basalt columns have provided inspiration for Icelandic architects, most visibly in the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, and also the National Theatre.
Cited from:
www.nat.is/travelguideeng/plofin_svartifoss.htm
and:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svartifoss
289