Dettifoss

Iceland · waterfalls · powerful nature

Massive European waterfall. Dettifoss is the second most powerful waterfall in all of Europe, beaten only by the Rhine Falls in Switzerland. Imagine water with the force of thousands of swimming pools crashing down at once.

Born from glaciers. The water at Dettifoss comes from Vatnajökull, a massive glacier in Northeast Iceland. As the glacial meltwater rushes downward, it collects water from a huge area around it, growing stronger and stronger.

Milky ghostly color. The water looks greyish-white instead of the usual clear blue because of all the sediment, or tiny rock particles, carried down from the glacier. It's like the waterfall is made of liquid stone.

Part of a national park. Dettifoss flows through Vatnajökull National Park in the wild, rugged Northeast corner of Iceland. This park protects some of Iceland's most dramatic and untamed landscapes.