As glaciers expand and recede, they have the capacity to grind rock so fine that geologists refer to the pulverized material as glacial flour. It slips down rivers and into lakes, carrying the otherworldly turquoise hue through a unique and resilient ecosystem. In Iceland, the blue-green color is complemented by rivers that flow yellow, thanks to sulfur from nearby volcanoes, or red from dissolved ferrous iron—also known as bog iron. Coursing over rock and black sand, the streams take on dazzling, rhythmic patterns.
Hamburg-based photographer Jan Erik Waider (previously) recently visited some of the country’s undulating waterways, capturing flows and oxbows from the air with a drone. Sediment runs through broad channels, separating into streams, gradually carving through the earth and eventually emptying into the sea. “Iceland’s river and seascapes may appear unremarkable from ground level, yet from an aerial perspective, they reveal a captivating array of colors and textures reminiscent of a living watercolor painting,” the artist says.
Explore many more distinctive landscapes on Waider’s website, Behance, and Instagram.
All images © Jan Erik Waider, shared with permission
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