Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Sep 24, 2024

Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

In Iceland"s Skaftafell, fall isn"t just a season—it"s an experience. From glaciers to waterfalls, like the one featured here today, to northern lights, this area in Vatnajökull National Park is a showcase of nature"s raw beauty. Skaftafell"s dramatic landscape was formed over thousands of years by the fierce interplay of volcanic fire and glacial water. Here, the glacier Skaftafellsjökull, a branch of Iceland"s largest ice cap Vatnajökull, stretches out like a frozen river, inviting visitors for guided hikes. Then there"s Svartifoss, another waterfall in the park, fed by glacial meltwater. Surrounded by dark lava columns resembling a heart from afar, this waterfall inspired the design of Iceland"s National Theatre and the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík.

© Nopasorn Kowathanakul/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 24, 2018Mooncake time
Sep 24, 2019With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
Sep 24, 2020Till the cows come home
Sep 24, 2021The crossroads of empires
Sep 24, 2022National Public Lands Day
Sep 24, 2023World Rivers Day
Sep 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 3, 2021The mountaintop of toppled gods
Sep 2, 2020A rock in a wild place
Jul 5, 2024Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Dec 13, 2019Taking the scenic route
Jul 20, 2024International Moon Day
Jul 11, 2023World Population Day
Jun 14, 2022Museum Mile Festival
Nov 25, 2020A dying breed of tree thrives in an American park
Mar 8, 2025International Womens Day
Mar 25, 2023Cecil Brewer Staircase, London
Mar 5, 2019Stompin’ with the Big Chief
Nov 6, 2018A truly American monument
Mar 12, 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Dec 21, 2022Winter solstice
Sep 30, 2020All eyes on moths
Mar 29, 2024South Stack Lighthouse, Holy Island, Wales
Aug 28, 2021Relationship status: It s complicated
May 21, 2018Is that a face in the sand?
Mar 20, 2019Hello, spring!
Apr 4, 2023Roman bridge of Córdoba, Spain
Mar 8, 2018Celebrate International Women’s Day
Oct 2, 2021A river on the tundra
Apr 6, 2022Crested caracaras
Jan 3, 2022Lick Observatory
Aug 14, 2022World Lizard Day
Nov 23, 2024Fibonacci Day
Aug 3, 2019Cetacean Saturday
Nov 8, 2022Yi Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Jan 14, 2019An island oasis in the Indian Ocean
Feb 2, 2024Groundhog Day