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Gullfoss is a waterfall located on the White River (Hvítá) in south central Iceland. Its name means the Golden Falls. The flow of the river from the regular rains and the glacial runoff, particularly in summer, makes Gullfoss the largest volume falls in Europe.
The Gullfoss is one of the most spectacular sights on earth. It is one of the natural wonders of the world. The wide White River (Hvítá) rushes southward. About a kilometer above the falls it turns sharply to the left and flows down a wide curved three step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 m and 21 m) into a crevice 32 m (105 ft) deep. The crevice, about 20 m (60 ft) wide, and 2.5 km in length, is at right angles to the flow of the river. The average of water running down this waterfall is by 100 – 180 m³/s in the summertime and 50 – 110 m³/s in the wintertime. The highest flood measured was 2000 m³/s.
Gullfoss
Gullfoss, “The golden falls“, is a double waterfall that tumbles 32 meters down a wide curved three-step staircase, and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 m and 21 m) into a crevice 32m deep. The crevice, about 20m wide, and 2.5 km in length, is at right angles to the flow of the river, so you don't actually see it from the view points. The average amount of water running over this waterfall is 80 m³/s in the wintertime.
During the 20th century, foreign investors wanted to transform Gullfoss into a dam for a power station which would of course have changed the waterfall forever. Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a local girl, was determined to preserve the waterfall in its original condition and even threatened to throw herself into the falls. Eventually the government intervened and it did not happen (neither the use of the falls for power nor Sigríður throwing herself into the falls), and now Gullfoss belongs to the Icelandic nations and is protected.
Gullfoss ("Gootl-foss" - The Golden Falls) - Alternative view of the second drop of this massive double drop Icelandic postcard waterfall, one of the most ferocious in Europe. The amount of spray that comes off this thing is unbelievable.
18mm, f/22 0.6s
A close up of Gullfoss waterfall: one of the biggest of Iceland. Gullfoss is located in the Golden Circle, near Rejkjavik.
During the first half of the 20th century and some years into the late 20th century, there was much speculation about using Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors' attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to lack of money. The waterfall was later sold to the state of Iceland, and is now protected.
Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of Tómas Tómasson, was determined to preserve the waterfall's condition and even threatened to throw herself down. Although it is widely believed, the very popular story that Sigríður saved the waterfall from exploitation is untrue. A stone memorial to Sigriður, located above the falls, depicts her profile
Gullfoss (Golden Falls) comprises two waterfalls on the Hvítá River. The upper fall is 11m high, the lower is 20m.
Gullfoss ("Golden Falls") is a waterfall located in the canyon of the Hvítá river in southwest Iceland.
Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The wide Hvítá rushes southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 metres and 21 metres) into a crevice 32 metres deep. The crevice, about 20 metres wide and 2.5 kilometres in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 140 cubic metres per second in the summer and 80 cubic metres per second in the winter. The highest flood measured was 2,000 cubic metres per second.