Víkurfjara, Black sand beach in Vík, Iceland.
Víkurfjara features dark volcanic sand formed from cooled lava and powerful Atlantic waves that create a striking coastal landscape along Iceland's southern shore.
The beach's black sand formed over centuries from volcanic eruptions, particularly from the nearby Katla volcano, whose lava flows cooled rapidly and fragmented into fine grains.
Local folklore links the offshore Reynisdrangar sea stacks to tales of trolls who turned to stone at sunrise while attempting to drag ships ashore from the ocean.
Visitors must maintain a safe distance from the water due to unpredictable sneaker waves that surge suddenly onto the shore and have caused serious accidents in the past.
The beach serves as a nesting habitat for puffins during summer months, and seals can often be spotted along the shoreline near the volcanic rock formations.
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