Braided glacial rivers, Iceland

From the right distance, something so simple as silt whirling in water seems straight out of that psychedelic sequence from '2001: A Space Odyssey.' No special effects here, just a bit of real-life future tech: Our shot was snapped by a drone as it buzzed high over Iceland. Since glaciers cover about 10% of the island nation's land area (a figure that's unfortunately shrinking), scenes of bluish glacial flour mixing with muddy rivers and lagoons are common—though you need to zoom out for the full lava lamp effect.

These intricate patterns are characteristic of Iceland's braided glacial rivers. These rivers carry fine sediment, often called glacial flour, which consists of pulverized rock from the glacier's movement, creating the distinctive milky-blue color. As meltwater flows, it frequently shifts its course across wide outwash plains, forming the complex, ever-changing networks of channels visible from above. This constant redistribution of sediment shapes vast areas of the country's volcanic landscape, playing a fundamental role in its unique hydrology.