The first 12 photos are the Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks next to Vik (or in Icelandic Vík í Mýrdal), the southernmost village on the mainland of Iceland. They are located on Reynisfjara, a world-famous black sand beach found on the South Coast of Iceland. The Reynisfjara beach, where the rock formations are located, was voted as one of the top ten beautiful non-tropical beaches in the world.
The sand at Reynisfjara is black due to its volcanic origins. Formed from cooled lava that flowed into the ocean during eruptions, the lava fragments were broken down over time by the powerful waves, creating the distinctive black sand beach we see today.
Reynisdrangar are the visual trademark for the village of Vik and are teeming with nesting Arctic terns, fulmars and puffins. A folk legend says there once were two trolls pulling a three-mast ship to the shore unsuccessfully. They were caught by the sunlight at dawn and were turned into stone. (This is something that happens to trolls when they stay out until dawn.) So, the trolls stand just outside the beach forevermore.
The 12th photo is Arnardrangur, or "Eagle Rock," a dramatic 230-ft high basalt sea stack located on the Reynisfjara beach near Vík. It is a popular, picturesque landmark formed by volcanic activity and erosion. The name stems from historical records of eagles nesting there, though none have nested since 1850, making it now a spot for potential puffin sightings.
The last 2 photos are the Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs under the Reynisfjall Mountain at the end of a dramatic stretch of black sand beach. They are towering, spiky basalt sea stacks jutting out from the ocean 217 ft into the air.
The sand at Reynisfjara is black due to its volcanic origins. Formed from cooled lava that flowed into the ocean during eruptions, the lava fragments were broken down over time by the powerful waves, creating the distinctive black sand beach we see today.
Reynisdrangar are the visual trademark for the village of Vik and are teeming with nesting Arctic terns, fulmars and puffins. A folk legend says there once were two trolls pulling a three-mast ship to the shore unsuccessfully. They were caught by the sunlight at dawn and were turned into stone. (This is something that happens to trolls when they stay out until dawn.) So, the trolls stand just outside the beach forevermore.
The 12th photo is Arnardrangur, or "Eagle Rock," a dramatic 230-ft high basalt sea stack located on the Reynisfjara beach near Vík. It is a popular, picturesque landmark formed by volcanic activity and erosion. The name stems from historical records of eagles nesting there, though none have nested since 1850, making it now a spot for potential puffin sightings.
The last 2 photos are the Reynisdrangar Sea Cliffs under the Reynisfjall Mountain at the end of a dramatic stretch of black sand beach. They are towering, spiky basalt sea stacks jutting out from the ocean 217 ft into the air.
© David D. Dolton