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Glaciers in Iceland
What is a glacier?
A glacier is a large mass of ice formed by compacted layers of snow. Glaciers only form when snow remains in the same place long enough to turn to ice. This process can take years or even centuries, and the glacier’s thickness can reach hundreds or thousands of meters. The mass size and density keep growing as new snow layers continue to fall and compress the previous layers.
Amazingly, glaciers can move, although their movements are slow and unnoticeable to a casual observer. Most of them move a few centimeters a day, while some can move even 50 meters in a day! They can create crevasses, cracks, and even glacier ice caves as they move. They can also form lakes by leaving depressions on the earth. Natural ice caves are only accessible in winter, as they break apart and collapse during summer. They vary in size and shape each year. Glaciers are a vital part of the ecosystem as they store more than 70% of all freshwater on earth.
How many glaciers are there in Iceland?
Iceland is a glacier paradise! The glaciers cover more than 11% of the total land area. The land of fire and ice is home to about 269 named glaciers of almost all types. You will find ice caps, outlet glaciers, alpine, mountain glaciers, and more here. Vatnajökull, the largest glacier in Europe, is also in Iceland. Many glaciers on the island lie on top of volcanoes. The glacier melts when the volcano erupts, creating a glacial outburst flood (jökulhlaup).
Glaciers have contributed immensely to the economy of Iceland, with tourists flocking into the country to marvel at the glaciers. They are the most accessible glaciers in the world. There are a variety of ways to enjoy Iceland glaciers. These include glacier hiking, taking a caving tour, snowmobile excursions, lagoon kayaking, and sailing among icebergs at a glacier lagoon. You can also see the whole glacier from the air! Here are some glaciers in Iceland.
Vatnajökull Glacier
Situated in the southeast of Iceland, Vatnajökull (“Glacier of Lakes”) is the largest glacier not only in Iceland but also in Europe and bigger than all other glaciers in Europe combined. It covers an area of about 8000 kilometers square, which is approximately 8% of Iceland’s total land area. Vatnajökull has another older names from the 18th century, the names is found in writings from Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson, the names is Klofajökull.
Under the ice cap, there are several volcanoes. These include Bárðarbunga, Öræfajökull, and Grímsvötn among others. Eruptions from these volcanoes have developed large pockets of water beneath the ice, that may lead to jökulhlaup (glacial outburst flood).
The enormous glacier has around 30 glacial tongues, and each of them has an individual glacier name. They form a breathtaking landscape along the southern part of the ring road. Most of the glacial tours operate on the glacial tongues as they are easily accessible. Here are the most popular glacial outlets on the Vatnajökull glacier.
Svínafellsjökull Glacier
Svínafellsjökull has a bright and beautiful landscape. It is known as one of the bluest glaciers in Iceland. Its name in Icelandic means “Pig Mountain Glacier,” though it is often referred to as “Hollywood Glacier” as it is a famous filming location for world-famous movies and TV shows. These include Batman Begins, Interstellar, Games of Thrones, James Bond, and many more.
The glacier is also a favourite spot for glacier hikers due to its deep, impressive crevasses and other formations. The glacier hiking tours from Skaftafell Nature Reserve mostly come to this glacier. The glacier is accessible all year round.
The reserve was once a National Park in its own right, before the Vatnajökull National Park absorbed it.
Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier
The glacier outlet is a popular tourist attraction in Iceland. Breiðarmerkurjökull glacier ends in the magical Jökulsárlón lagoon, which is the deepest lake in Iceland. Tour operators conduct snowmobiles and jeep tours to explore the glacier and amphibious and zodiac boat tours between floating icebergs on the ice lagoon. Breiðamerkurjökull is also home to beautiful ice caves, such as the stunning blue crystal ice cave known for its incredible turquoise colours. Unfortunately, the cave is only accessible and safe to enter in winter.
Falljökull Glacier
The “Falling Glacier” is located next to Svínafellsjökull and is an outlet of Öræfajökull. It has a dramatic landscape and an ever-changing ice formation, which gives it a fantastic view. Falljökull glacier is one of the most impressive and accessible glaciers in Iceland. It offers a prime spot for glacier hiking tours.
Fjallsjökull Glacier
This is an impressive glacier with a beautiful landscape. On the tip of the Fjallsjökull glacier, you will find the Fjallsárlón lagoon, one of the famous glacier lakes where zodiac tours are offered. Above you can see the looming Öræfajökull volcano.
Hoffellsjökull Glacier
The glacier outlet is located 20 km from the town of Höfn. The glacier takes its name from a mountainous area and a farmland, Hoffell. Hoffellslón lagoon, filled with giant icebergs, is situated on the glacier. Accessing this area requires a 4×4 car with larger wheels. Nevertheless, it is an ideal place to see a glacier without crowds.
Hiking on the main glacier is also possible with the help of a certified glacier guide and the right equipment. However, the conditions can be challenging, and they can even be dangerous. Vatnajökull glacier is part of Vatnajökull national park together with Skaftafell in the south and Jökulsárgljúfur in the north. The park covers 14% of Iceland’s total area.
In the early 20th century Hoffellsjökull was a scene for extensive research by glaciologists. Probably the most famous expeditions from there was directed by the Icelandic meteorologist Jón Eyþórsson and the Swedish glaciologist Hans Wilhelmsson Ahlmann in 1936, the two geography students that accompanied them became well known later; Car lMannerfelt in Swedish business and Sigurður Þórarinsson in Icelandic geological research. The studies that were carried out by this group did demonstrate that Vatnajökull receives much more precipitation than most glaciers elsewhere in the world and produces more meltwater. What that means is that the water cycle on the south side of the glacier is extremely rapid, greater than in most other glacial systems in the world.
Langjökull Glacier
Langjökull, which means “Long Glacier,” is the second-largest glacier in Iceland. It is located in the western part of the highlands of Iceland, a one and a half-hour drive from Reykjavik. Langjökull covers an area of 953 kilometers square and has a thickness of 580 meters. The glacier is famed for being home to the largest man-made ice cave globally, which has been accessible since 2015.
In recent years, natural caves have also been found on the glacier. Its closeness to Reykjavik, the capital city, and abundant activities make it very popular. It is among the golden circle’s main tourist attractions, a short drive from Gullfoss, the golden waterfall. Langjökull is very popular for snowmobiling tours, which is the best way to cover a large section of the long glacier. It is also a favourite spot for skiers and hikers.
You can also explore the glacier from the inside by taking an ice cave tour. There is an ice chapel in the man-made cave where you can throw a party or even get married. Langjökull also hides some volcanic systems. The best known is Hveravellir at the east of the glacier. Major attractions in the Golden Circle get water from Langjökull. These include the Gullfoss waterfall, fed by the Hvítá River that flows from the glacier. Tours to Langjökull operate from Reykjavik, Gullfoss, and Húsafell. The glacier is accessible all year round.
Hofsjökull Glacier
Hofsjökull glacier covers an area of 925 kilometers square in the eastern part of the Icelandic highlands. Its ice cap conceals a volcano known as Hofsjökull, a subglacial volcano with a caldera. The third-largest glacier in Iceland is also a source for several rivers including, the Þjórsá, the longest river in Iceland. Unfortunately, the place is hard to reach and is only accessible during summer. It is accessed only with 4×4 cars and guides who are well conversant with the area. Hiking and cross country skiing are the main activities here.
Mýrdalsjökull Glacier
Mýrdalsjökull ice cap in South Iceland covers Katla volcano, one of the largest active volcanoes and most the deadliest in Iceland. It is a popular spot for hiking and ice climbing and is accessible all year round. The fourth-largest glacier in Iceland covers an area of 595 kilometers square. It is located next to Eyjafjallajökull glacier, separated by the famous Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail.
Mýrdalsjökull glacier has two glacial tongues; Sólheimajökull and Kötlujökull. Sólheimajökull is full of impressive crevasses that offer exceptional glacier hiking and ice climbing. It is also possible to come across small ice caves as you explore the Sólheimajökull glacier. Kötlujökull, a ruggedly beautiful icefall, is home to the famous Katla Ice Cave. Guided ice climbing, snowmobiling, and snow scooter tours are offered on the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Travellers on the glacier are advised to be careful due to crevasses.
Eyjafjallajökull
Although it is one of the smaller ice caps in Iceland with an area of 100 square kilometers, Eyjafjallajökull is probably the most famous glacier in Iceland. The ice cap covers the Eyjafjallajökull stratovolcano, which hit the world news after its eruption in 2010. The volcanic eruption disrupted air travel all over Europe. The sixth-largest glacier in Iceland is located in South Iceland, next to Mýrdalsjökull.
The glacier has two spectacular glacial tongues; Gígjökull and Steinsholtsjökull. Several famous waterfalls also originate from the glacier. These include Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Kvernufoss waterfalls. Iceland’s most favourite hiking trail, Fimmvörðuháls, passes between Eyjafjallajökull and Mýrdalsjökull glaciers. It starts from Skógafoss by the ring road and ends in the oasis Þórsmörk. The trail offers a fantastic view of the beautiful mountains, ice, new lava, and highland vegetation. Unfortunately, it is only accessible during summer. During the winter season, the place is reachable on super jeeps.
Drangajökull
Drangajökull is located in Hornstrandir, in the remote Westfjords of northern Iceland. It is the only glacier in Iceland with an altitude of fewer than 1000 meters. Unlike other ice caps in Iceland, its size has remained relatively stable in recent years. Therefore, it is difficult to reach the Drangajökull glacier, though the surrounding mountainous region is known for its beauty.
It is one of the best places to witness the midnight sun at the time of summer solstice and the northern lights. Hiking is also popular in this region due to the many trails and low lying mountains. With a height of 925 meters, Drangajökull is easier to hike than other glaciers in Iceland. It only takes 60-90 minutes to summit from the road to the edge of the Drangajökull glacier.
Snæfellsjökull
Snæfellsjökull is a glacier-capped stratovolcano in western Iceland, the mountain was formed approx. 700.000 years ago. The glacier can sometimes (in good weather) be seen from Reykjavík, which is about 120 km away looking over the Faxaflói Bay. The mountain is part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park.
The last eruption of Snæfellsjökull was about 1800 years ago, for that reason it is considered as an active volcano with potential for future volcanic activity. The signs that the volcano is is active are the hot springs and fumaroles underneath the icy surface.
This mountain is one of the most famous sites in Iceland, and that is due to a novel by Jules Verne, Journey to the center of the Earth. The book came out is 1864 and it is a classic science fiction novel. The protagonists finds the entrance to a passage leading to the center of the earth on Snæfellsjökull, the protagonists are a professor and his nephew along with a Icelandic guide. A movie came out with the same title in 1959, build and adapted from the book by Jules Verne. That is not the only movie adapted by the book by Jules Verne, another movie came out in 2008 (with Brendan Fraiser and Icelandic actress Anita Briem).
Vatnshellir is a 8000 year old lava cave, it is one of Iceland’s most incredible lava caves. It was created by a volcanic eruption in the Purkholar crater. If you are seeing the area and want to follow the footsteps of the professor in Jules Verne’s book, this is a must see stop!
Vatnshellir Cave
