Map of Iceland
Scene 1: Seljalandsfoss

Scene 1: Seljalandsfoss

Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall along the Seljalandsá river which originates beneath the glacial volcano of Eyjafjallajökull. This volcano is famous for recently erupting in 2010, halting air travel in much of Europe.

Scene 2: Reynisfjara

Scene 2: Reynisfjara

Located near the small fishing village of Vík, Reynisfjara beach is one of the most famous black sand beaches in the world. The location of this beach in the wettest part of Iceland and it's proximity to Katla, one of Iceland's most active volcanos, gives the beach it's uniquely dark color.

Scene 3: Skeiðarársandur

Scene 3: Skeiðarársandur

A twisted labyrinth of water channels through dark sediment, Skeiðarársandur is the largest sand plain in the world. This sand plain was formed by glacial outburst flooding from nearby glaciers like Skeiðarárjökull after the eruption of nearby volcanos under Vatnajökull caused glacial melt.

Scene: 4 Svínafellsjökull

Scene: 4 Svínafellsjökull

Svínafellsjökull flows 8km from Vatnajökull to a tiny glacial lagoon where the ice melts at a higher rate of speed. Though not as common at this location, ice calving, when parts of the glacier break away, can occasionally be witnessed. Though they appear still, glaciers are constantly in motion. It is often possible to hear cracks and creaks as the massive ice sheet shifts and breaks, slowly carving out the earth beneath it.

Scene 5: Hoffell

Scene 5: Hoffell

A particularly fertile region, Hoffell is home to a number of plants and animals that are not as common throughout the rest of the island. One rare plant found here is the Silver Saxifrage, which gets its name from dried calcium carbonate deposits on its thick leaves. Wild reindeer can also be found in the region in winter and the shoulder seasons when they come down from the mountains to graze.

Scene 6: Viðborðssel

Scene 6: Viðborðssel

Numerous waterways cut through the landscape around Viðborðssel as meltwater from nearby glacial outlets finds its way to the ocean. These channels create unique patterns, especially when viewed from the air. Meltwater from Fláajökull provides irrigation for the region around Viðborðssel, but also makes the region prone to flooding.

Scene 7: Fláajökull

Scene 7: Fláajökull

Over the last century, Fláajökull has receded over two kilometers, a common trend throughout the country's glaciers. In 2019, Iceland held a symbolic funeral for Okjokull glacier in an attempt to gain awareness for the growing problem. In just 200 years, it is predicted that all of Iceland's glaciers will be melted.

Scene 8: Jökulsárlón

Scene 8: Jökulsárlón

Originating in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon, icebergs wash up on the black volcanic sands of Breiðamerkursandur. The beach, which is part of a glacial outwash plain, was formed as the glacial tongue moved forward and pushed volcanic sediment. These icebergs are washed and polished by the waves before leaving clear ice littered all over the beach, resembling diamonds.

Scene 9: Reyðarfjörður

Scene 9: Reyðarfjörður

Reyðarfjörður is the widest and longest fjord in the Eastfjords, at over 30km long. Fjords are deep, u-shaped valleys formed by glaciers as they alter the landscape. The inland side of a fjord is often the deepest, where the strength of the glacier was most powerful, causing overdeepening.

Scene 10: Eskifjörður I

Scene 10: Eskifjörður I

Eskifjordur has been a trading post since the 1700's. Well revered for its deep and wide channel, it is also guarded from above.

Scene 11: Eskifjörður II

Scene 11: Eskifjörður II

Bountiful Artic seas have supplied Iceland food and export for centuries. However, fishing remains a dangerous, demanding profession, and many lives have been lost at sea.

Welcome

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Sound

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Legend

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Analytics

Welcome to

Ísland

A Journey into the Abyss

Overview

Welcome to a unique virtual journey through the Icelandic landscape via an immersive web-based multimedia experience that aims to inform and entertain. An inventive combination of in-depth research of Icelandic history and culture, compelling dramatic photography, breathtaking aerial video, cinematic music compositions, dynamic sound effects, and creative storytelling, all connected through an innovative web experience. Through this experience gain a deeper understanding of Iceland, its history, its people, their culture and their relationship to its unforgiving natural environment. Take an imaginative journey through ice and fire, and step into the abyss.

Project Breakdown

This project is broken up into three parts, each part with a number of scenes. Each scene is further broken up into three sections - Title, Journal, Explore. The Title section is simply a welcome into the scene. The Journal section contains creative writing to describe the scene. The Explore section contains the primary scene image with a number of interactive info dots. Info dots provide more information about the scene or information about Iceland in general. Some scenes have additional images and video within the Explore section as well.

Maximize

This experience has been designed to be used at fullscreen. We recommend selecting the fullscreen button (highlighted top-right) to maximize your experience. Click the same button at any point to exit fullscreen.

Navigation Visibility

Click the Hide the Navigation button (highlighted top-right) to hide the navigation icons. Navigation is hidden automatically in the "Explore" Section. Click the same button at any point to show the navigation again.

Dark Mode

Easily toggle between light and dark mode to accomodate for your device, lighting conditions, or preferred color scheme.

Welcome Tutorial

This tutorial can be accessed at any time using the Help icon (highlighted top-right). Click the icon again to hide the tutorial. Your place in the tutorial will be retained until you complete it.

Share Experience

Click the Share icon (highlighted right) to share this experience with those you think would enjoy it.

Main Menu

The Main Menu (highlighted top right) can be accessed at any time for Scene Selection, Resources, Credits, and other useful information. Click the icon to show the Menu and click the X icon in the top right to exit the Menu.

Mute

This experience includes sound effects and music. The Mute/Unmute button (highlighted bottom left) controls whether sound is active or not. We recommend using speakers or headphones for the best experience.

Spotify

To hear the complete music score for this scene or the entire soundtrack, click the Spotify icon (highlighted bottom left). You will be redirected to Spotify website in a new tab.

Buy Prints

Click the Buy Prints icon (highlighted bottom left) to purchase prints from this scene and this project. You will be redirected to the photography website in a new tab.

Map

The map includes a rough location for where each scene takes place. Click the map button (highlighted bottom right) to view the entire map.

Previous Scene

Click the Previous button (highlighted above center) to go to the previous scene.

Next Scene

Click the Next button (highlighted above center) to go to the next scene.

Title

This button links to the Title section for each scene. Return to the Title section anytime using the Title icon (highlighted above center).

Journal

The Journal button (highlighted above center) links to the Journal section. This section is a creative narrative of the scene. Return the the Journal section anytime clicking this same button.

Explore

The Explore button (highlighted above center) brings you into the Explore section. This section is comprised of the primary scene image and related facts scattered throughout the scene. Many scenes also contain secondary images and video content. Entering this section automatically hides the visibility of the navigation buttons. Return to the Explore section anytime using the Explore button.

Explore the image to learn more. When done, click the Next Scene button below to contine to the next scene.

Continue to Scene 8:

Fláajökull

Next Scene

End of Part I

We hope you have enjoyed the experience so far. Part II will be coming soon.

Until then, sign up to receive project updates or take a minute to share your experience.