Hjálparfoss

Hjálparfoss is a waterfall in south of Iceland.

The Fossá í Þjórsárdal crashes here picturesquely between basalt pillars into two branches split about 20 m in depth.

Location

The waterfall is located in the Þjórsárdalur just before the confluence with the Fossá Þjórsá. The Hekla volcano towers over the area and close with the Haifoss and the gorge Gjáin still more remarkable waterfalls.

Name

The name means translated from Icelandic "Help waterfall ". This derives from the name of the area Hjálp. This in turn stems from the fact that finally vorfanden in earlier times people after crossing the dangerous, arid inland route sprengisandur again of water and feed for the horses.

Volcanism

The lava field Búrfellshraun fills the valley. It flowed about 3,500 years ago from the craters Veiðivötn. At the waterfall the Fossá eroded a part of this lava field, while the interior of pseudo craters exposed as well as fan-shaped lava pillars, which are caused by very rapid cooling of the lava under water influence.