Iceland, a hidden gem in the North Atlantic Ocean has countless landscapes. From the typical Icelandic volcanic landscape to glaciers, black sand beaches, glacial rivers and fields of fumaroles.
Let’s first know how Iceland was formed. Its location is not the result of chance, but is a consequence of the forces of nature that come together at that point. Under the Icelandic soil we find the edges of two tectonic plates: the mid-Atlantic ridge formed by the North American plate and the Eurasian plate. This ridge is divergent, which means that instead of joining, they are separating. Being in constant motion, with considerable seismic activity, there is the presence of burning magma and high pressure accumulated over thousands of years. All of that comes to the surface, and this is how Iceland came into being. After multiple eruptions, the lava solidified forming the territory that today we call Iceland. This island is 20 million years old.
Caves and lava tunnels in Iceland
In Iceland we can delight in unique landscapes such as lava caves. We have the Vatnhellir cave, or the Thirihnjukagigur, or the Lofthellir.
Rhyolite Mountains in Iceland
Another spectacular landscape to admire would be the rhyolite mountains with their different colors such as the mountains of Ljosártungur, Landmannalaugar, Lonsoraefi or Hvanngil.
Black sand beaches
Most of the rocks on this island are precisely solidified lava and that is why they have an intense black color. These types of beaches are not the only ones in Iceland, but they are the most common, so much so that it is difficult to find them with golden sand. Among the most impressive beaches we highlight the beaches of Reynisfjara, Solheimasandur, Diamond Beach, Stokksnes or Djúpalónssandur.
Glaciers
We leave you a list of some of the most impressive glaciers that you can visit: Vatnajökull, which is the largest in Europe, Langjökull, Hofsjökull, Eyjafjallajökull …
Aurora borealis
Although they are not geological formations, they are part of the Icelandic landscape. The stamp that these magical lights produce on the Icelandic landscape, make Iceland a unique place.
Without a doubt, Iceland is a destination that you should visit at least once in your life to enjoy the grandeur that nature can offer us. Are you going to miss it?
