When sea levels were higher, Iceland was smaller. Waves crashed into the coast forming cliffs. When the sea receded, the cliffs remained, and waterfalls started carving through the cliffs.
Seljalandsfoss
This waterfall is not far off the Ring Road and an easy walk from the parking area as you can see from the folks walking up. When there’s not ice, you can walk behind the falls. The Seljalandsá river splits above the cliff, with most of the water coming down the main falls, but you can see one of the small falls to the left. Here’s a better view.
You can keep walking below the cliffs. A little over a mile you’ll come to another falls from the Gljúfurá River that is hidden behind a gorge. Here’s a peek.
Gljúfrabúi
It is said that huldufólk, or hidden folk, live inside the gorge. They, and the icy boulders, kept me from exploring inside.
As the climate warms and the water level rises, will the sea be returning?
Addendum
While working on some of these images yesterday, the sun came out for the first time in days, and it warmed up enough to take a walk with just a sweater. So Chance and I circled a nearby lake. And perhaps some huldufólk were living beneath the water. (Though I suspect geese left some footprints.)
Herrick Lake
