Dyrhólaey, Natural arch and cape at southern coast, Iceland
The basalt formation reaches 120 meters in height and features a natural arch created by constant ocean erosion against the volcanic rock structure.
The formation emerged from underwater volcanic activity 80,000 years ago, with ocean currents gradually carving out the distinctive arch shape over millennia.
The name translates to 'the hill island with the door hole' in Icelandic, reflecting the natural formation that extends from the black sand shores.
Visitors access Dyrhólaey through Road 218 off Ring Road 1, with two separate parking areas offering different viewing perspectives of the formation.
The site closes during May and early June to protect nesting birds, including puffins that establish colonies in the cliffs during summer months.
Location: Mýrdalshreppur
Elevation above the sea: 120 m
GPS coordinates: 63.39972,-19.12639
Latest update: May 27, 2025 13:27
Geological forces have carved openings, arches, and caves into rock formations across continents through millions of years of erosion. Water, wind, and weathering have shaped these natural structures from various rock types, creating landmarks that reveal the Earth's ongoing transformation. The formations appear in diverse environments, from coastlines where ocean waves carve passages through limestone cliffs to desert regions where wind erosion creates openings in sandstone walls. This collection spans locations such as Durdle Door along England's Jurassic Coast, where a 200-foot (60-meter) arch rises from layers dating to the Mesozoic era. The Faraglioni Rocks off Capri reach heights of 360 feet (109 meters) and include a natural passage navigable by boat. In landlocked regions, formations like the Eyes of God in Bulgaria's Prohodna Cave display symmetrical ceiling openings where sunlight penetrates the rock. Desert sites such as Las Ventanas in Argentina's Andes showcase wind-carved arches in remote sandstone landscapes. Each location offers direct evidence of erosion processes that continue shaping these geological features, from readily accessible coastal points to isolated areas requiring significant travel to reach.
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