Size:
– Vatnajökull is the second largest ice cap in Europe by volume (about 3,000km
– The ice cap covers an area of 7,900km
– The average ice thickness is 380m (1,250ft)
– The maximum ice thickness reaches 950m (3,120ft)
– Icelands highest peak, Hvannadalshnúkur (2,109.6m or 6,921ft 3in), is located in the southern periphery of Vatnajökull.
Peaks:
– Hrútsfjallstindar is a series of Icelandic peaks rising from Vatnajökull.
– These peaks range from 1,756 metres (5,761ft) to 1,875 metres (6,152ft) high.
Volcanoes:
– Under the ice cap, there are several volcanoes.
– Eruptions from these volcanoes have created large pockets of water beneath the ice.
– Volcanic eruptions under Vatnajökull have led to subglacial eruptions.
– The volcanic lake Grímsvötn was the source of a large jökulhlaup in 1996.
– A volcanic eruption in 2011 reached a plume height of 17km (56,000ft).
In culture:
– Vatnajökull was previously known as Klofajökull.
– The glacier was the site of a successful rescue operation of a crashed plane crew in 1950.
– Vatnajökull has been featured in films like James Bond’s “A View to a Kill” and “Game of Thrones.”
– The glacier was used as a filming location for music videos and TV series.
– In 2004, Vatnajökull was visited during the first leg of The Amazing Race 6.
Outlet glaciers:
– Vatnajökull has around 30 outlet glaciers flowing from the ice cap.
– Outlet glaciers are sorted by the administrative territories of Vatnajökull National Park.
– The list of outlet glaciers is not exhaustive.
– Skaftafell national park and other sources provide information on Vatnajökull’s outlet glaciers.
– The glacier’s outlet glaciers are a significant part of its geographical features.
