This is a wide sand and gravel plain north of the glacier
Myrdalsjokull. North of it is the mountainous and colourful
rhyolite and high temperature area called Torfajokull. The plain
lies about 600 m above sea level. It is rather flat and barren
and during the melting season, when large parts of it are under
water, the travellers have to be careful not to get bogged down
in the quagmires. The plain was named after a low, free-standing
mountain, Maelifell, on its eastern part. People crossing the
interior areas in winter often encountered snowstorms and died
of exposure. In 1868 four men perished and in 1968 two men as
well, when their helicopter crashed. They survived the crash,
but died of This area is only accessible on foot or in rubust
4x4 vehicles. 7 km <Maelifellssandur> Emstrur 7 km, Highway #.1
near Eldvatn 60 km, Kirkjubaejarklaustur