Raw, intense, undammed, untamed, natural as can be: the largest river that drains the largest glacier in Iceland plunges 144 feet over a basalt ledge in a roaring torrent powerful enough to feel underfoot as low-frequency vibrations a hundred yards distant. Nary a rope or guardrail is to be found; step a step too far and you die, your fault, period. The wholly uninhibited character of the place reinforces its primordial allure. As with many such torrents, power begets beauty, of both majestic and delicate forms, both in the big cascade and downstream. The cliff edge at upper left was the same spot from which the alien leapt in the opening scene of the movie Prometheus.
10 NNW Holssel, Iceland (21 Aug 14) Looking WSW
65.8153, -16.384Edge of Dettifoss
Raw, intense, undammed, untamed, natural as can be: the largest river that drains the largest glacier in Iceland plunges 144 feet over a basalt ledge in a roaring torrent powerful enough to feel underfoot as low-frequency vibrations a hundred yards distant. Nary a rope or guardrail is to be found; step a step too far and you die, your fault, period. The wholly uninhibited character of the place reinforces its primordial allure. As with many such torrents, power begets beauty, of both majestic and delicate forms, both in the big cascade and downstream. The cliff edge at upper left was the same spot from which the alien leapt in the opening scene of the movie Prometheus.
10 NNW Holssel, Iceland (21 Aug 14) Looking WSW
65.8153, -16.384