Iceland is a pretty fascinating geological landmass, with tectonic plates pulling apart and volcanoes forming right underneath. On the coast, it’s full of lush, green pastures, cascading waterfalls, and temperate climates thanks to the warm air brought by the North Atlantic Current. But inside the landmass shows a different reality. A barren plateau full of ice caps, glacial floods, and fresh lava. Geography by Geoff explored Iceland’s massive inland desert.
This cold desert, created by extreme rain shadows thanks to the massive glaciers that strip moisture from prevailing winds and the porous volcanic soils that drain water instantly underground, sits at the heart of Iceland. Relentless winds whip up abrasive sandstorms and that, combined with the constant drought, prevents vegetation and soil growth. It’s truly a fascinating landscape, forcing Icelanders to cling to the coast of the island for over a millennium.
