Mælifell is a 799 meter high volcano standing out in a desert of black sands. It was once concealed under Mýrdalsjökull glacier, the third largest glacier in the country, but became exposed when the glacier retreated at the end of the last Ice Age. This occurred approximately 10.000 years ago.
The volcano remains close to this ice cap, just to its north. As such, it is surrounded by volcanic landscapes and many pristine glacier rivers. It is particularly renowned for its vivid green colorations in the summer, which contrasts starkly with the black sands that encircle it. Because of its beauty, Maelifell has been featured in films such as Noah and television series such as Game of Thrones.
