Svartifoss

 

Svartifoss (Icelandic for "black waterfall") is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is surrounded by dark lava columns, which gave rise to its name. 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. 

A short walk into the Skaftafell area of Vatnajokull National Park provides visitors with a breathtaking view of Svartifoss. Ice-cold meltwater from Svinafellsjokull glacier feeds the famous Svartifoss waterfall. 

The waterfall tumbles down 20 metres over a cliff, which is bordered on both sides by tall black basalt columns. It resembles pipes of a giant organ, which is where the waterfall gets its name.

This wonder of natural architecture inspired the design for both Iceland’s National Theatre and the Hallgrimskirkja church in Reykjavik. The hexagonal columns form inside a lava flow which then cools extremely slowly, giving rise to crystallization. These lava formations are similar to those at the famous Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, and on the island of Staffa in Scotland.

The base of this waterfall is famous for its sharp rocks. New hexagonal column sections break off faster than the falling water can wear down the edges. The columns formed in a lava flow that cooled very slowly, which caused these hexagonal shapes. You can find rock columns like these all across Iceland, so keep an eye out for them.