ICELAND ~ Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Vatnajokull National Park - UNESCO ~

...More unspoiled natural beauty of Iceland at its best... a stunning sunset of Jökulsárlón the most famous glacier lagoon... this breathtaking glacial lagoon is renowned for its floating icebergs, calved from Europe's largest glacier, Vatnajökull... massive chunks of ice float serenely in the lagoon, creating a captivating spectacle... the contrast of the blue ice against the dark waters is truly mesmerizing.... the lagoon connects with the ocean and is composed of seawater and freshwater... this is what creates the unique color... it's one of the most popular places for travelers to visit... but it’s tragic to see the retreat of the glacier at such a rapid pace due to global warming... Big Thanks once more Alena!(✿ ♥‿♥)

© Skarphedinn Thrainsson/www.arcticart.is

Jokulsarlon glacier first started forming in 1934, when the Breidamerkurjokull glacier started retreating  leaving the lagoon in its path.The icebergs in Jokulsarlon are composed of ice that is over 1,000 years old.This glacier lagoon has gotten four times bigger since the early 1970s. Jökulsárlón is also the deepest lake in Iceland with a maximum depth of around 260 meters. Seals can be seen year-round in Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

Vatnajökull National Park covers 12.000 km², almost 14% of Iceland. The park officially formed in 2008 by joining together Jökulsargljúfur and Skaftafell National Parks and adding in additional wilderness areas. It is the largest national park in Western Europe. 

 Vatnajökull National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2019.

 

Stamp: 

Icelandic Contemporary Design 

(Issued 27-03-2014)

ICELAND ~ Ice Cave - Vatnajokull National Park ~ UNESCO ~

... Amazing Iceland National Park nr 2💙... an other-wordly view of an ever-changing natural phenomena... the Vatnajökull Ice Cave is renowned for its stunning blue ice formations... a result of centuries of compression, which removes the air bubbles and gives the ice its blue hue... these astonishing blue glacial ice caves are only found deep inside of glaciers... they are among some of the most amazing sights in Iceland for its size, charming colors, enchanting texture, and the absolute tranquil feeling inside... Vatnajokull NP is a huge park and most of it is pure wilderness covered by the second largest glacier in Europe... Big Thanks Alena!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Skarphedinn Thrainsson/www.arcticart.is
The Vatnajökull ice cap is located on the southeast side of the island. It is the second-largest in Europe and a major glacial research location on climate change. It is situated on large and active tectonic rift systems, and in an area rich in volcanic features.

Vatnajökull National Park encompasses an enormous area. It covers 12.000 square kilometres, almost 14% of Iceland. The park officially formed in 2008 by joining together Jökulsargljúfur and Skaftafell National Parks and adding in additional wilderness areas. It is the largest national park in Western Europe. 

Vatnajökull National Park was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2019.

Stamp: 

Icelandic Contemporary Design 

(Issued 27-03-2014)

ICELAND ~ Öxarárfoss Waterfall - Thingvellir National Park - UNESCO ~

... First of three spectacular and breathtaking landscape views... Öxarárfoss is not the biggest, but one of the most beautiful falls in southern Iceland... the "wall", the river and the lighting makes it look really magical... Öxarárfoss waterfall, though it looks entirely natural, is actually a human-made feature... this redirection was done to provide a reliable water supply for the members and visitors of Iceland's Alþingi parliament, which gathered in Þingvellir each year... it is not merely a geological wonder but also a site steeped in history and cultural significance... Thanks a lot Alena! (✿◠‿◠)

© Skarphedinn Thrainsson/www.arcticart.is
Standing at 13m and 6m wide, Öxarárfoss flows from the Öxará into the Almannagjá gorge with its pristine and deep blue water. The name Öxaráfoss translates to the “The waterfall in the Ax River.” The water continues to flow from the gorge into Iceland’s largest lake, Thingvallavatn.

Þingvellir National Park is located in the south in an active volcanic area and was established as a national park in 1930 making it the oldest park in Iceland. Laying on top of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Þingvellir has historical, cultural, and geological value. The park is the original site of the first Alþingi (“National Assembly”), formed in 930 AD. 

In 2004 Þingvellir National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Stamp:

Icelandic Contemporary Design

(Issued 27-03-2014)

ICELAND ~ Hveravellir - Kjölur plateau ~

... Spectacular nature view... an otherworldly ancient field... one of the pearls of Iceland, a nature reserve 650 meters above sea-level... Hveravellir or the Hot Spring Fields is one of the most beautiful geothermal areas in the world with multi-coloured boiling mud pools, huffing and puffing fumaroles and beautiful azure hot springs that will take your breath away...  based between two large glaciers and lying right on the edge of a massive lava field, this unique place is the best example of fire and ice coming together to create something extraordinary... hiking trails allow passage through and within the region, and for those who want a payoff for their efforts, one of the hot springs is a popular bathing site.... horse riding is also a popular activity around Hveravellir... Héééél Erg Bedankt Marcel en Ria! (✿ ♥‿♥)

Photo:Ⓒ Alban Henderyckx
Hveravellir is located in Iceland’s central highlands. They lie just off Kjölur or Kjalvegur highland road that connects the North and South Iceland. The geothermal area is nestled between two glaciers, Langjökull and Hofsjökull.

The first mentions of Hveravellir date back to 1752. Travelers Bjarni Pálsson and Eggert Ólafsson described the area in their travelogue. However, there’s a good chance that people had already been enjoying the natural geothermal pools for quite some time. The ancient Kjalvegur road runs through the area. This road is referred to in the Viking Sagas and the first mentions are from around year 900.

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Eimskip - The Icelandic Steamship Company
(Issued 16-01-2014)

ICELAND ~ Jökulgil Canyon - Landmannalaugar ~

... A spectacular mountain scenery... such a variety of colours and shapes are not found in any one other place in nature... Landmannalaugar is the most visited spot in the uninhabited areas of Iceland... a hiking destinations where visitors from across the globe enjoy wide-open vistas, scenic trails and colourful rhyolite mountains... a rock type that creates a full spectrum of dazzling colour... shades of red, pink, green, blue and golden yellow... a highly interesting place in geological sense but also for its history and vegetation... Jökulgil Canyon is just one of the gorges that split the mountains... a truly breath-taking hiking trail runs along the entire canyon... it is relatively easily accessible late in summer or in autumn when the water level of River Jokulkvisl has dropped...Thanks a lot Svea!!【ツ】

© Photo: Pálmi Guðmundsson's
Jökulgil is a 13 km long valley carved into Landmannalaugar that roughly translates into "Glaciar Canyon".

Landmannalaugar is located in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve in the Iceland highlands. The Nature reserve itself spans around forty-seven thousand hectares, all at an elevation above 500m (1640 ft). The entire area was formed by a volcanic eruption in the 15th C and is marked by geothermal hot springs, glacier-covered mountains, lava fields and rivers.

Stamp:

EUROPA Stamps - Bridges
(15-02-2018)

ICELAND ~Thingvellir National Park - Flosagja rift - UNESCO ~

...Spectacular scenery...the site where the great tectonic plates of Europe and North America meet!
Thanks a lot Patrik!

Stamp:
Fishing vessels- Breki VE 61 (built in 1976)
(Issued 08.05.2014)

Thingvellir National Park is located in southwestern Iceland. It  is a site of historical, cultural, and geological importance and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland.

It is the site of a rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is also home to Þingvallavatn, the largest natural lake in Iceland.

Flosagja (Flosi's Gorge), gorge filled with water in the lava fields between the European and American tectonic plates. It extends for 800 meters and is all of 25 meters deep.

Thingvellir was accepted on the World Heritage list for its cultural values in 2004.



©Photo: Pórhallur Birgisson

ICELAND~Skogafoss Waterfall~

...Received second card (this one with no rainbow) showing one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of Iceland...just see how tiny everyone appears in front of the waterfall...Thanks Svea!!

With nice  tourist stamps III- Sjálfberg rock.
(Issued 16-01-2014)

©Photo: Palmi Gudmundsson Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. The Skógafoss is one of the biggest and most beautiful classically-shaped rectangular waterfall of the country with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters.

ICELAND~Skogafoss Waterfall~

...Breathtaking view of one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of Iceland...Just see how tiny everyone appears in front of the waterfall... Thanks a lot Patrik!!!


Nice stamp with great clear postmark.
Tourism II Icelandic Nature - Aldeyjarfoss
(Issued 24-01-2013)

Skógafoss is a waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline.

The Skógafoss is one of the biggest and most beautiful classically-shaped rectangular waterfall of the country with a width of 25 meters and a drop of 60 meters. Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days.

ICELAND ~Cliffs of Látrabjarg~

For me, Iceland is one the countries with the most spectacular nature...you better don't look down when you are afraid of heights standing on this cliff :D... and as being a "birdcolonie" I see only one puffin......But the view is just breathtaking!!

This is my first card from Manu who started a six months journey from Iceland to Cape town, crossing 20 countries...Looking forward to many great postcards!! Thanks a lot Manu! :D

Nice stamp: Icelandic Visual Arts II – The Pioneers (Day of issue: 03.11.2011)

Látrabjarg, in Iceland, marks the western-most part of Europe. The cliffs are home to millions of birds, including puffins, northern gannets, guillemots and razorbills. It is vital for their survival as it hosts up to 40% of the world population for some species e.g. the Razorbill.
It is Europe's largest bird cliff, 14km long and up to 440m high.

ICELAND ~Friends at sea~

Star performance for whale watchers in Skjálfandi Bay off Hüsavik, norht Iceland.

ICELAND ~Humpback Whale~

A humpback Whale breaching in the Skalfándi Bay. Humpbacks migrate thousands of kilometres to their feeding-grounds from warm climate breeding-areas and can be spotted in the Icelandic seas during the summer months. Humbacks are easely distinguished by their knobby heads and long flippers. The males are noted for their long and complex songs. This whale was photographed during a whale watching from the town Húsavik.

ICELAND ~Glacier-river-lagoon~

View of Jökulsárlón (the glacier-river-lagoon) and large icebergs that have broken off grom the Breiõamerkurjökull glacier, one of Iceland's major tourist attractions. Thanks!!