Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Queen Mountain

The mountain Herðubreið, also know as the Queen of Icelandic mountains, was formed in a volcanic eruption beneath a highland glacier. The lava was contained in the ice and the mountain got her iconic shape; rising above the surrounding ash-black desert, she can be seen from far away. The mountain is always beautiful, but never more so than when covered in a shroud of snow and clouds.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2018
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Iceland
Copyright: © Anders Thøstesen