dalur

Dalur is the Icelandic word for valley, a low-lying corridor between hills or mountains that is often carved by rivers and shaped by glaciers. In everyday usage, dalur can refer to a wide range of valleys, from broad, open upland corridors to narrow, steep-sided troughs.

The term derives from Old Norse dalr and is cognate with Norwegian dal and Swedish dal, as well as the English “dale.” These words descend from Proto-Germanic *dalaz, meaning “valley.”

Valleys form by glacial and fluvial processes. In Iceland’s mountainous terrain, glaciers carve U-shaped troughs, while rivers erode V-shaped channels. Valley floors may host streams, wetlands, pasture, and small settlements, with features such as rivers, waterfalls, and mossy vegetation.

Ecology and land use: Valleys offer sheltered microclimates and access to freshwater, making them favorable for grazing and farming in Iceland. They often host irrigation or drainage works and can serve as routes through mountainous terrain.

Toponymy and culture: Dalur is a common element in Icelandic place names, where the word is combined with river names or settlements to denote the valley location. The term also appears in Icelandic literature and maps as a geographical descriptor.

See also: valley, glacial valley, canyon, toponymy.