Overview
About Seljalandsfoss waterfall
An inland sea cliff
The cliff was cut by the sea near the end of the last glaciation, when relative sea level was higher. Falling relative sea level and the formation of lowlands left this former coastline inland. A lava layer caps the waterfall, while much of the underlying cliff consists of palagonite tuff and breccia: volcanic material with varied grain sizes and visible layers.
Water and seasonal ice
The pool below the falls is called Kerið, meaning the tub; sea trout and sea char have been observed there. Spray also shapes conditions around the path. In freezing weather it coats the cliff and recess with ice, which can detach during a thaw. Closures behind the waterfall address both slippery ground and falling ice.
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