Mýrdalssandur is a vast outwash plain in South Iceland located
between Mýrdalsjökull glacier and
Skeiðarársandur.
It is one of Iceland’s largest glacial sand plains, formed by powerful
glacial floods caused by volcanic eruptions beneath the glacier
Katla.
The landscape is dominated by black volcanic sand, braided rivers, and
wide open spaces where the horizon seems endless. The terrain is largely
barren, yet strikingly beautiful, offering a clear view of Iceland’s raw
geological forces.
Numerous glacial rivers flow across Mýrdalssandur, including Múlakvísl and
other meltwater streams originating from Mýrdalsjökull. River channels can
shift rapidly following heavy rainfall, melting, or volcanic activity.
Rising above the sand plain is
Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland’s fourth-largest glacier.
Beneath the ice lies the powerful volcano
Katla, one of the country’s most active volcanic systems.
Historic jökulhlaups from Katla have repeatedly reshaped the entire area.
The
Ring Road crosses Mýrdalssandur, making the area an
important transport corridor and offering travelers spectacular views of
glaciers, sand plains, and surrounding mountains.
Nearby attractions include
Sólheimajökull,
Sólheimasandur,
Dyrhólaey,
Reynisfjara, and the village of
Vík.
Mýrdalssandur is one of the clearest examples of the interaction
between fire, ice, and water in Iceland — a constantly changing landscape
shaped by volcanic eruptions, glaciers, and glacial floods.