Iceland has black sand deserts (not only beaches), mainly due to volcanic minerals/rocks and lava sand. One of the sources mention that it can occur through glacial outburst floods (jökulhaup) which can be triggered by geothermal activities and subglacial volcanic eruptions. Volcaniclastic sediments and debris are carried with this meltwater and it gives the black color to the terrain.

The sand is black because many volcanic minerals and rocks are dark-coloured. Common rock types of volcanic islands are basalt, andesite and volcanic glass. Minerals such as pyroxene, amphibole and iron oxide also lend the sand its black colour.

ornosk.com

Around the year 1000, many farmers set up shop on Mýrdalssandur. By the 15th century, however, most of these farmsteads were abandoned due to violent eruptions originating from Katla volcano. Today, the area is a 700 square kilometre desert of black sand, made up of the deposits from Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and the sudden glacial floods (or jökulhaup) that run from the glacier down to the sea. Evidence of these prior floods can be seen throughout Mýrdalssandur, be it the washed out bridges or the peculiar rock erosions. Even today, farmers close to Mýrdalssandur worry that receding glaciers will cause rivers to change direction and overflow. It’s no wonder Icelanders left this region a long time ago.

guidetoiceland.is

Iceland has black sand deserts (not only beaches), mainly due to volcanic minerals/rocks and lava sand. One of the sources mention that it can occur through glacial outburst floods (jökulhlaup) which can be triggered by geothermal activities and subglacial volcanic eruptions. Volcaniclastic sediments and debris are carried with this meltwater and it gives the black color to the terrain.

The sand is black because many volcanic minerals and rocks are dark-coloured. Common rock types of volcanic islands are basalt, andesite and volcanic glass. Minerals such as pyroxene, amphibole and iron oxide also lend the sand its black colour.

ornosk.com

Around the year 1000, many farmers set up shop on Mýrdalssandur. By the 15th century, however, most of these farmsteads were abandoned due to violent eruptions originating from Katla volcano. Today, the area is a 700 square kilometre desert of black sand, made up of the deposits from Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and the sudden glacial floods (or jökulhaup) that run from the glacier down to the sea. Evidence of these prior floods can be seen throughout Mýrdalssandur, be it the washed out bridges or the peculiar rock erosions. Even today, farmers close to Mýrdalssandur worry that receding glaciers will cause rivers to change direction and overflow. It’s no wonder Icelanders left this region a long time ago.

guidetoiceland.is

Iceland has black sand deserts (not only beaches), mainly due to volcanic minerals/rocks and lava sand. One of the sources mention that it can happen through glacial outburst floods (jökulhaup) which can be triggered by geothermal activities and subglacial volcanic eruptions. Volcaniclastic sediments and debris are carried with this meltwater and it gives the black color to the terrain.

The sand is black because many volcanic minerals and rocks are dark-coloured. Common rock types of volcanic islands are basalt, andesite and volcanic glass. Minerals such as pyroxene, amphibole and iron oxide also lend the sand its black colour.

ornosk.com

Around the year 1000, many farmers set up shop on Mýrdalssandur. By the 15th century, however, most of these farmsteads were abandoned due to violent eruptions originating from Katla volcano. Today, the area is a 700 square kilometre desert of black sand, made up of the deposits from Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and the sudden glacial floods (or jökulhaup) that run from the glacier down to the sea. Evidence of these prior floods can be seen throughout Mýrdalssandur, be it the washed out bridges or the peculiar rock erosions. Even today, farmers close to Mýrdalssandur worry that receding glaciers will cause rivers to change direction and overflow. It’s no wonder Icelanders left this region a long time ago.

guidetoiceland.is

Iceland has black sand deserts (not only beaches), mainly due to volcanic minerals/rocks and lava sand. One of the sources mention that it can occur through glacial outburst floods (jökulhaup) which can be triggered by geothermal activities and subglacial volcanic eruptions. Volcaniclastic sediments and debris are carried with this meltwater and it gives the black color to the terrain.

The sand is black because many volcanic minerals and rocks are dark-coloured. Common rock types of volcanic islands are basalt, andesite and volcanic glass. Minerals such as pyroxene, amphibole and iron oxide also lend the sand its black colour.

ornosk.com

Around the year 1000, many farmers set up shop on Mýrdalssandur. By the 15th century, however, most of these farmsteads were abandoned due to violent eruptions originating from Katla volcano. Today, the area is a 700 square kilometre desert of black sand, made up of the deposits from Mýrdalsjökull ice cap and the sudden glacial floods (or jökulhaup) that run from the glacier down to the sea. Evidence of these prior floods can be seen throughout Mýrdalssandur, be it the washed out bridges or the peculiar rock erosions. Even today, farmers close to Mýrdalssandur worry that receding glaciers will cause rivers to change direction and overflow. It’s no wonder Icelanders left this region a long time ago.

guidetoiceland.is