Sandstorm, Myrdalssandur outwash plain, Iceland

These are isolated soil remains, small islands of soil with a sample of previous vegetation cover. They are mostly 1-4m high but don't represent the original soil thickness since they collect wind-blown soil. If the soil banks decrease in number and size the area gradually becomes a desert and consist of glacial alluvial sediments. Higher resolution images available from rth@arctic-images.com (there is a licensing fee depending on the use).