North Iceland · Iceland
Dettifoss
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe by flow rate — a raw, thundering cataract on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river that sends enormous plumes of mist rising into the sky.
About Dettifoss
Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe by flow rate — a raw, thundering cataract on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river that sends enormous plumes of mist rising into the sky.
History & Background
Dettifoss was not widely known outside Iceland until the opening of the road to the area in the late 20th century. It gained international fame when it was used as the opening scene of Ridley Scott's film 'Prometheus' (2012), depicting the dawn of life on Earth. The waterfall is fed by Vatnajökull glacier and carries enormous volumes of sediment-heavy glacial water. The horseshoe canyon upstream — Jökulsárgljúfur — was carved by catastrophic glacial flood events over thousands of years.
Key Facts
- ✔Most powerful waterfall in Europe by flow rate
- ✔Flow: up to 1,500 m³ per second at peak
- ✔Drop: 44 meters
- ✔Featured in the opening scene of Ridley Scott's film Prometheus (2012)
- ✔Located within Vatnajökull National Park
