Sandy wastelands cover about 20% of Iceland, or just over 20,000 km2, mostly in the central highlands of the country. The sands have a wide-ranging impact on the entire ecosystem of the country, due to the sand drift that comes from them, and can spread throughout the country, causing both dust and vegetation loss. The sands in Iceland are unique on a global scale, because they contain alkaline glassy grains of sand. But the sands, the wastelands, are both exceptionally beautiful and harsh at the same time. Here, Icelandic Timers / Land & Saga takes a moment to look at this beauty that covers fifty of the republic.
Photos & text : Páll Stefánsson
Iceland : 16/03/2026 : GX617, A7R IV, RX1R II - 11/300mm, 2.0/35mm Z, FE 1.2/50mm GM, FE 2.8/100mm GM
