Basalt arch in the cliffs of the Dyrholaey Headland, east towards the Reynisfjall Cliffs and Reynisdrangar sea stacks, Iceland
The archway in the foreground is the roof of a cave communicating with the surface by way of a wide, vertical shaft or 'blow hole' in the cliff top behind. The cave has formed along a line of weakness in the cliff-face. Advancing sea waves drive air towards the cave back. Over time, this hydraulic erosion or the compression and explosive expansion of air driven into cracks in the cave roof cuts a way through to the surface. The remaining section of roof is thin. Freeze-thaw weathering or the repeated expansion and contraction of ice in cold weather will help bring it down, so forming a narrow inlet or creek. The Reynisdrangar sea stacks, on the eastern horizon have been formed by archway collapse isolating pinnacles of rock from the cliff-line. In folklore they are considered the remains of two trolls, caught out in the early morning sun while pulling a three-masted boat ashore.
Size: 5788px × 3805px
Location: Dyrholaey Headland, Myrdalur, Southern Iceland
Photo credit: © robert harrison / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: air, arch, blow, cave, cliffs, coast, compression, dyrholaey, erosion, expansion, folklore, freeze-thaw, geography, geology, headland, hole, hydraulic, iceland, landscape, roof, sea, stacks, tourism, travel, waves, weathering
