Skeiðarársandur
Skeiðarársandur is one of the largest glacial outwash plains
in Iceland,
stretching across vast lowlands
south of
Vatnajökull.
The sandur lies between
Skaftafell
and the volcanic area of
Laki craters,
and is considered one of the most striking examples
of glacial forces at work in the country.
Skeiðarársandur was formed by repeated glacial floods
originating beneath Vatnajökull,
particularly from eruptions within the
Grímsvötn
volcanic system.
During these events,
enormous volumes of meltwater, ice and sediment
rush toward the coast,
reshaping the plain again and again.
The rivers of Skeiðarársandur are constantly changing.
Channels divide, merge and disappear,
and the landscape can look entirely different
from one year to the next.
This continuous movement makes the sandur
a living landscape
where nature remains in full control.
The area gained international attention in 1996,
when a massive glacial flood triggered by a volcanic eruption
destroyed large sections of
Iceland’s Ring Road
and swept away bridges and infrastructure.
The event powerfully demonstrated
the scale of Iceland’s volcanic and glacial activity.
Despite its harsh appearance,
Skeiðarársandur possesses a stark and haunting beauty.
Braided glacial rivers wind across the dark sands,
with the ice cap of Vatnajökull dominating the skyline
and the Atlantic Ocean shimmering in the distance.
On clear days,
the scenery is among the most impressive in South Iceland.
Skeiðarársandur is more than a geographical feature —
it is a vivid reminder of the dynamic relationship
between fire, ice and water.
The sandur continues to evolve with every flood and eruption,
illustrating how Iceland’s landscape
is constantly being reshaped by natural forces.