The Nature of Iceland
Iceland's nature is unique in the world. In geological terms the country is young and is still being shaped before our eyes – by volcanic eruptions, glacial floods, earthquakes and the constant erosion of wind, water and ice.
The land of fire and ice
Iceland is often called the land of fire and ice, and for good reason. The country was built by volcanic activity at the boundary between two tectonic plates, and beneath it lies a hotspot – a so-called mantle plume – which makes volcanism here far more intense than elsewhere along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. At the same time the country lies so far north that large glaciers have formed on the highest mountains.
The interplay of fire and ice creates phenomena found in few other places, such as glacial outburst floods when eruptions melt the ice from below, hyaloclastite mountains formed by eruptions beneath the Ice Age glacier, and vast sandy plains built up by glacial rivers.
Landscape and landforms
The average elevation of the country is about 500 metres above sea level, and only about a quarter lies below 200 metres. Lowland is most extensive in South Iceland and along the coasts, while the interior is taken up by the highlands with their deserts, lava fields and glaciers. Fjords cut deep into the land in the Westfjords, North Iceland and the Eastfjords; they were carved by Ice Age glaciers.
- Lava fields cover about 11% of the country. The youngest are almost barren, while older lava is often covered in moss.
- Sandur plains are flat outwash plains of glacial sediment deposited by glacial rivers. Skeiðarársandur is one of the largest.
- Hyaloclastite ridges and table mountains formed in eruptions beneath ice. Herðubreið is the best-known table mountain.
- Canyons have been carved into the bedrock, for example Jökulsárgljúfur, Fjaðrárgljúfur and Stuðlagil.
- Columnar basalt forms when lava cools slowly and contracts into hexagonal columns.
Water and rivers
Iceland has an abundance of fresh water. Its rivers fall into three main types: glacial rivers, which are silty and carry most water in summer; direct-runoff rivers, which rise and fall with rain and snowmelt; and spring-fed rivers, which emerge from beneath lava and are clear with an even flow all year. The longest river is Þjórsá, about 230 km, while the Ölfusá carries the most water. Many rivers are harnessed for electricity, and there is clean drinking water throughout the country.
| Feature | Examples | More |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes | Hekla, Katla, Grímsvötn, Askja | Volcanoes in Iceland |
| Glaciers | Vatnajökull, Langjökull, Hofsjökull | Glaciers in Iceland |
| Waterfalls | Gullfoss, Dettifoss, Skógafoss | Waterfalls in Iceland |
| Geothermal areas | Geysir, Hveravellir, Námaskarð | Geothermal activity |
| Bird cliffs | Látrabjarg, Hornbjarg, Dyrhólaey | Birdlife |
Life in a harsh land
Because of its isolation and young age, Iceland has relatively few species of plants and animals. Only one land mammal, the Arctic fox, lived here before the settlement. The ocean around the country, however, is extremely rich – fish stocks, whales, seals and millions of seabirds. Read more about wildlife, birdlife and vegetation.
Nature conservation
Iceland's first nature conservation act was passed in 1956. Today over a hundred areas are protected, including three national parks: Þingvellir, Vatnajökull National Park and Snæfellsjökull National Park. Government agencies play a key role in monitoring and protecting nature. Visitors are asked to tread carefully, stay on marked paths and never drive off-road; off-road driving is prohibited by law and leaves scars that can take decades to heal.
Frequently asked questions
How much of Iceland is covered by glaciers?
Glaciers cover about 10% of the country, or roughly 10,000 km², but they have retreated rapidly in recent decades.
Why are there so many volcanoes in Iceland?
Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge plate boundary and on top of a hotspot. Together these cause intense volcanic activity. See the geology of Iceland.
All articles in Nature
- Volcanoes in IcelandAll about volcanoes in Iceland: the most active volcanic systems, famous eruptions from the Laki fires to the Reykjanes eruptions, types of eruption and monitoring.
- Glaciers in IcelandFacts about Iceland's glaciers: Vatnajökull, Langjökull, Hofsjökull, Mýrdalsjökull and Snæfellsjökull, glacial floods, glacial lagoons and retreat due to warming.
- Waterfalls in IcelandA guide to Iceland's most beautiful waterfalls: Gullfoss, Dettifoss, Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss, Goðafoss, Dynjandi, Glymur and Hengifoss, with heights and locations.
- Geothermal Activity and Hot SpringsFacts about geothermal heat in Iceland: Geysir and Strokkur, high- and low-temperature areas, hot springs, swimming pool culture and geothermal heating and power.
- The Northern Lights in IcelandA guide to the northern lights in Iceland: what the aurora is, when and where to see it, the aurora forecast, photography tips and folklore about the northern lights.
- Wildlife in IcelandFacts about Iceland's wildlife: the Arctic fox, reindeer, seals and whales, the Icelandic horse, sheep, sheepdog and the other native Icelandic livestock breeds.
- Birdlife in IcelandFacts about birds in Iceland: the puffin, gyrfalcon, great northern diver, Arctic tern and golden plover, bird cliffs, Lake Mývatn and the best birdwatching spots.
- Vegetation and Flora of IcelandIceland's vegetation and flora: birch woods, mosses, lichens, flowers, soil erosion, land reclamation and forestry from the settlement to today.
- Weather and ClimateIceland's weather and climate: temperatures, rain, wind, seasons, midnight sun and winter darkness, weather records and climate change.
- The Geology of IcelandThe geology of Iceland explained: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the plate boundary, the mantle plume, the age of the bedrock, earthquakes, columnar basalt and UNESCO geosites.