Vatnajökull is the largest ice cap in Iceland, covering 8% of the island's territory. The Vatnajokull Glacier is located in the south-west of Iceland and is a popular place for hiking tours of glaciers and ice caves.
Content:
- Interesting facts about the Watanjokull glacier
- Information about the Watanyokull glacier Vatnajökull
- Ice caves in Vatnajokulla
Interesting facts about the Watanjokull glacier
- Surface: 8,100 km2
- Average thickness: 400 - 600 m
- Maximum thickness: 1000 m
- Height: 1400 - 1800 m
- Highest peak: 2,200 m (Hvannadalshnjúkur)
Information about the Watanyokull glacier Vatnajökull
The Vatnajokull Glacier is located on the territory of the large Vatnajokull National Park, which covers the former national parks of Skaftafell, in the southwest, and Jokulsarglufur, in the north. The highest point of the Vatnajokull glacier is Hvannadalshnyukur, which lies at the top of a stratovolcano known as Öæfajökull.
Under the glacier are some of the most active volcanoes in the country, the most notable of which are Grimsvotn, Öæfajökull and Bárðabunga. Volcanic activity in the region has been occurring for centuries, and many geologists believe that this will continue in the near future. If their calculations are correct, this means significant volcanic activity for Vatnajokull over the next half century.
The glacier boasts more than 30 glacier tongues that flow out of the ice caps but remain confined to the sides of the valley. The main languages of the Vatnajokull glacier are Dingujokull in the north, Breidramercurhokull and Skiarrayokull in the south. In the west, the languages Síðujökull, Skaftárjökull and Tungnaárjökull can be found.
Glaciers are in constant motion under the weight of ice. Every year, due to the melting and movement of ice, new ice caves appear, which soon disappear.
Ice caves in Vatnajokulla
Anyone who has seen photos of ice caves knows that it is worth seeing. Since Vatnajokull is the largest glacier in Europe, it is one of the best places to see this natural wonder - the ice caves. Every year, visitors get the opportunity to see the natural ice cave in the Vatnajokull National Park.
Ice caves are formed only in winter, when glacial rivers disappear and the water freezes. Their location, shapes and sizes are constantly changing, making them a distinctive and unique sight.
If you are planning to try your luck and see an ice cave in Iceland, please do so under professional guidance - the weather and circumstances can pose a great risk!
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Tours to the Vatnajokull glacier
Many companies conduct tours to the Vatnajokull Glacier, many of them depart from the visitor center of the Skaftafell National Park.
If you have enough experience and you have brought all the necessary equipment with you, then no one will forbid you to go to the glacier on your own, however, in most cases it is better to take advantage of tours, many of which include not only travel to the Vatnajokull glacier and a walk along the glacier, but also a visit to the ice cave, trips to the glacier lagoon Jokulsarlon and more:
Everyone will find something interesting for themselves!
