Mýrdalssandur

Mýrdalssandur, the vast desert east of the glacier, is the outwash plain where glacial outburst flooding has continued to pummel the landscape. It is believed to have once been a fertile farming community destroyed by repeated glacial flooding through the centuries. 

In each glacial outburst, more and more sediment gathers in the area. Given the eruption average of around 50-60 years, the sand has ample opportunity to grow. Many believe that Katla is long overdue to erupt, giving the Mýrdalssandur plain a (possible) chance to grow even further in the near future.