The photo above shows a black sand and pebble beach near the town of Vik i Myrdal, the southernmost settlement in Iceland. This sand originated from the basalt lava that covers much of the area. Because black sand isn't routinely replenished like most beach sand when storms and tides wash the sand away, black sand beaches tend not to endure very long.
The geology of Iceland is comparatively young -- it owes its existence to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge that splits the island in half. Volcanoes along the ridge, such as Katla, erupt with some regularity continuing to add surface area and mass to the "land of ice and fire" and to augment the black sand beaches. Photo taken near sunset on October 3, 2012.
Photo Details: Camera: NIKON D800; Lens: 16.0-28.0 mm f/2.8; Focal Length: 16mm (35mm equivalent: 16mm); Aperture: f/4.5; Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 400; Software: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.2 (Windows).
Vik, Iceland Coordinates: 63.419444, -19.009722
It is located in the Salt mountain range, to the west of San Pedro and the south of the new highway. The Moon Valley is an interesting area of formation of stone and sand. Declared Sanctuary of the Nature it comprises of Los Flamencos National Reserve. Located inside the Salto mountain range Located to 13 kilometers to the west of San Pedro de Atacama. The valley receives this name due to the great similarity of the place to the mole landscapes.
The enormous enormous geologic formation, which are located in one of the most barren zones of the planet. It is an area of great beauty that resembles the mole landscape by the stone formation, petrified salt and sand, that during millenia, floods and winds have molded to its way.
Surprise yourself with the enormous figures of salt and clay constructed with the pass of the years and the wind, we will have the opportunity to know "Las tres Marias" figures with unique beauty that can be photographed and contemplated by a long time.
Finally we will visit the wonderful caverns of the salt accompanied by the imposing Licancabur volcano, once again to be surprised by the great magic of the desert, specially of the valley in where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the most beautiful sunset that our eyes never will be able to forget.
Briefly, impressive forms product of the successive transformations of the terrestrial crust, offer the aspect of a true mole landscape.
There is not life in this valley, neither humidity, turning it the most inhospitable place of the planet.
There is not to lose the sunset, due to it is unforgettable.
When the sun sinks, it is painting pie tones the edges of hills and defiles, while the wind blows among the rocks and the sky pass from pink color to purple and finally black.
Without a doubt it is one of main attractive of San Pedro de Atacama, visited by hundreds of tourists year by year, which are really surprised by its singular and unique beauty incomparable to any place.
