Dettifoss, Western Europe's most powerful waterfall, pounds in its full force through the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum in the remote Jökulsárgljúfur region of north-east Iceland. With its imposing width of 100 metres and a height of 44 metres, Dettifoss is one of the most impressive natural phenomena Iceland has to offer. The immense force of the water crashing down is almost palpable in the air, while the spray from the waterfall spreads like a misty veil over the surrounding landscape.
The river carries some'5 million tonnes of clay to the sea every year, testament to the massive erosion caused by Dettifoss. The water displacement volume averages 200m³ per second, but under extreme conditions this can be as much as 2 or 2.5 times as much. This makes the waterfall not only visually impressive, but also a powerful symbol of the inescapable and destructive power of nature.
The deep ravines and rugged terrain surrounding the waterfall make the experience of Dettifoss even more impressive. As you get closer, you feel the vibrations of the falling water in the ground beneath your feet, a reminder of the immense power hiding in nature.
My name is Gerry van Roosmalen, photographer and author with a passion for images and stories that touch. After years in the corporate world, I followed my heart and chose photography in 2002. I completed the Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn, specialising in portrait and reportage photography.
Documentary and landscape..
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