National Geographic | THE COMPASS

National Geographic

THE COMPASS

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHNATHAN AMPERSAND ESPER, AURORA

An island of mystery, history, and mesmerizing landscapes, Iceland is a theater for Earth's natural drama—from the spurting geysers and bubbling mud pools that punctuate its countryside, to the massive ice sheets that shroud its volcanic mountains. In this edition, we learn why a surprise magma pocket hints at more "ticking time bombs," discover breathtaking nature and historic battles as we take an epic drive along the nation's less-touristed north, and hear of the eerie folktales behind the country's natural wonders.

Let's explore Iceland.

HISTORY & CULTURE

Krafla volcano erupts. Recently collected magma from Krafla matches magma from its eruption in 1724. That means the magma had gone unnoticed for three hundred years, despite huge advances in detection equipment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ARCTIC IMAGES, ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Surprise magma pocket found in Iceland hints at more 'ticking time bombs'

Geologists were stunned to find previously unmapped magma at some of the world's best studied volcanoes.

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Craters at Lake Myvatn in Iceland are among the country's many green landscapes.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JONAS BENDIKSEN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Is Iceland really green and Greenland really icy?

A longstanding rumor claims the names are a bait and switch.

Lava began erupting on Friday, March 19, in the Geldingadalur region of Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula, possibly marking the beginning of a new period of heightened volcanic activity in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JEREMIE RICHARD, AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Eruption in Iceland may mark the start of decades of volcanic activity

The first eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula in about 800 years is not expected to threaten any population centers, but it does provide a unique opportunity to study the geologic mysteries of the region.

Iceland's distinct architecture, such as this house on the outskirts of Húsavík, adds to the dramatic nighttime setting.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT ORMEROD

Why space fans flock to this eerie landscape

“It’s almost like outer space coming to you,” a photographer says of the aurora-filled skies over this otherworldly locale.

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TRAVEL

DREAM NOW, GO LATER

Dramatic landscapes captivate visitors on the Arctic Coast Way, a car route established in 2019 in northern Iceland.

PHOTOGRAPH BY FILIPPO BIANCHI, GETTY IMAGES

Whales, myths, and Arctic lakes: Explore Iceland’s new road trip

An epic drive across the Nordic nation’s less-touristed north reveals breathtaking nature and historic battles on land and sea.

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Two horseback riders travel down the southern coast of Iceland, passing the Reynisdrangar sea stacks.

PHOTOGRAPH BY IMAGE BROKER / ALAMY

Roam the Icelandic countryside on horseback

Take in stunning highland views from the saddle of an Icelandic horse.

The Hallgrímskirkja can be seen from almost anywhere in Iceland's capital.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TRAVELPIX LTD, GETTY IMAGES

Iceland’s tallest church was inspired by volcanoes

The Hallgrímskirkja echoes the shapes of cooling lava—and offers unparalleled views of Reykjavík.

According to Icelandic folklore, the basalt rock formations off the coast of Vik were once trolls.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SMITT, GETTY IMAGES

The eerie folktales behind Iceland’s natural wonders

Beware of trolls.

Elves seem to suit Iceland's otherworldly landscape.

PHOTOGRAPH BY KOMYVGORY, GETTY IMAGES

More than half of this country believes in elves

For real.

A visitor explores the ice caves within Vatnajökull Glacier. Because water from the glacier melts in the spring and freezes in the winter, the structure and condition of the caves change every year.

PHOTOGRAPH BY EINAR RUNAR SIGUROSSON, AURORA

31 stunning photos of adventures in Iceland

Find your next adventure in one of these breathtaking, impressive Icelandic landscapes.

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WHERE WILL WE JOURNEY TO NEXT?

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