Hraunfossar Falls in Iceland

April 26, 2011

SuesIcelandfalls1

Photographer: Sue Strickland
Summary Authors: Sue Strickland; Jim Foster

April 2011 Earth Science Picture of the Day Viewer's ChoiceThe photo above shows the stunning Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls in western Iceland, cascading into the Hvítá, Borgarfjörðu River. These falls span more than half a mile (0.8 km) and are in essence springs formed by streams channeling out from the Hallmundarhraun lava field, which flowed from a volcanic eruption beneath the Langjökull ice cap. The presence of glacial flour (also called rock powder) suspended in the water is the cause of the turquoise coloration of the river. Photo taken in June 2010.

Photo Details: Camera: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi; Focal Length: 39mm; Aperture: f/7.1; Exposure Time: 0.0080 s (1/125); ISO equiv: 100.

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