Geology Picture of the Week, July 9-15, 2006: Svartifoss (Columnar Basalt and a Waterfall!)

Iceland Slide Show ^

[cogitator]

Continuing in an Icelandic waterfall vein (which I'll continue at least one more week), I discovered pictures of this one -- Svartifoss. Those of you who've been regulars for the Geology Picture of the Week know that I've got a lot of sub-interests, two of which are columnar basalt and waterfalls. Well, Svartifoss is two for the price of one! The picture is a nice artistic capture; there are numerous digital snaps of Svartifoss at various flow levels.

Source: http://www.seewald.com/

Svartifoss is located in the Skaftafell National Park. Map:

The linked page is where I found the map; it's got a Ring Road slide show of Iceland that might be of interest to anyone thinking about a trip. It'd be nice if I could be actually doing that...

And the tour has a preview of the waterfall I'll feature next week. Can you guess which one it is?

[cogitator]

For those who might not know, columnar basalt develops in cooling lava flows (I'm fairly certain that they need to be cooled underground before exposure to develop the crystallization.) Well-known examples are Devil's Tower, the New York Palisades (Yellowstone has a similar palisades), Devil's Postpile (California), and Giant's Causeway (Ireland).

[cogitator]

** ping **

[djf]

Stunning shot! Wouldn't wanna be swimming below when a few tons of it came down, though. Basalt is pretty common here in Washington state, here is a shot near Rainier:

[Mad Dawg]

I thought Svartifoss was a character from Hichhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

No. wait.

Absolutely stunning photo. Thanks.

[mtbopfuyn]

Totally awesome!

[battlegearboat]

photos are the bomb!

[CPT Clay]

Too Cool!!!

Thanks

[Truth29]

Yes, if you ever get the opportunity, take a ring road tour of Iceland. It is even more amazing and beautiful than the pictures indicate.