Skjálfandafljót
Encyclopedia
The River Skjálfandafljót is situated in the north of Iceland
.
It has its source at the northwestern border of the icecap Vatnajökull
on the Highlands of Iceland
. From there it streams parallel to the Sprengisandur
highland road in northern direction, flowing finally into Skjálfandi
bay.
It was first descended by kayak by a team from the University of Sheffield (UK) in 1989.
At the north end of Sprengisandur road, the river drops down 10 m over the waterfall
Aldeyjarfoss
, in the lowlands, very near Route 1
there is another waterfall, Goðafoss
which is among the most famous waterfalls in Iceland.
See also: Rivers of Iceland, Waterfalls of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
.
It has its source at the northwestern border of the icecap Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland. It is located in the south-east of the island, covering more than 8% of the country.-Size:With an area of 8,100 km², Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and the second largest in area Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in...
on the Highlands of Iceland
Highlands of Iceland
The Highlands of Iceland cover most of the interior of Iceland. They are situated above 400–500 metres and are mostly an uninhabitable volcanic desert, because the water precipitating as rain or snow infiltrates so quickly into the ground that it is unavailable for plant growth, which results...
. From there it streams parallel to the Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur
Sprengisandur is a highland gravel road in Iceland, running between the glaciers Hofsjökull and Vatnajökull. The name also refers to the highland region surrounding the road....
highland road in northern direction, flowing finally into Skjálfandi
Skjálfandi
Skjálfandi, geologically more a bay than a fjord, is located in the North of Iceland. The word Skjálfandi literally translates to "trembling" which might refer to earthquakes which do occur quite frequently...
bay.
It was first descended by kayak by a team from the University of Sheffield (UK) in 1989.
At the north end of Sprengisandur road, the river drops down 10 m over the waterfall
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
Aldeyjarfoss
Aldeyjarfoss
The Aldeyjarfoss waterfall is situated in the north of Iceland at the northern part of the Sprengisandur Highland Road which means it is to be found within the Highlands of Iceland....
, in the lowlands, very near Route 1
Route 1 (Iceland)
Route 1 or the Ring Road is a main road in Iceland that runs around the island and connects all habitable parts of the country . The total length of the road is ....
there is another waterfall, Goðafoss
Goðafoss
thumb|200px|Goðafoss seen from the Eastern bank in summerthumb|200px|Goðafoss in winterThe Goðafoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland. It is located in the Mývatn district of North-Central Iceland at the beginning of the Sprengisandur highland road...
which is among the most famous waterfalls in Iceland.
See also: Rivers of Iceland, Waterfalls of Iceland
Waterfalls of Iceland
Iceland is unusually suited for waterfalls. This small island country has a north Atlantic climate that produces frequent rain or snow and a near-Arctic location that produces large glaciers, whose summer melts feed many rivers...