Landmannalaugar is located at the N side of Torfajökull, a major scene of Pleistocene acidic volcanism. Bright rhyolitic rocks lend a colourful appearance to the mountain Brennisteinsalda (855 m) shown in the background, the name of which literally means "sulphur wave". Laugahraun, a 15th century lava field, dominates the foreground of the image. It consists of obsidian, a volcanic glass made of acidic rock, despite its dark colour.