Glaciers

Among the most distinctive features of Iceland are its glaciers, which cover over 11,600 km² (4,500 square miles) or 11.5% of the total area of the country. During the past decades, however, they have markedly thinned and retreated owing to a milder climate, and some of the smaller ones have all but vanished.

The biggest Glacier in Europe (Vatnajokull)
Source: Iceland Tourist Board

Glaciers in Iceland cover an area of 11,600 sq. km, 11,5% of the total area of the country. Nearly all types of glaciers, from small cirque glaciers to extensive plateau ice-caps, are represented. The largest of these ice-caps, Vatnajökull, 8,300 km², is equal in area to all the glaciers on the European continent together, its maximum thickness reaching 1,000 m. One of its southern outlets, Breiðamerkurjökull, reaches more than 160 m beneath sea level. Other large ice-caps are Langjökull (950 km²) and Hofsjökull (923 sq. km) in the Central Highlands, Myrdalsjökull (700 km²) in the south and Drangajökull (160 km²) in the northwest. The altitude of the glaciation limit is lowest, about 600 m, in the northwest, and highest, over 1,700 m, in the highlands north of Vatnajökull. On the southern side of Vatnajökull, it ranges about 1,100 m. Since about 1890, and particularly since 1920, the glaciers have greatly thinned and retreated; some of the smaller ones have almost disappeared. During the 1960s the retreat began to slow down, and some of the glaciers are now advancing again.

By far the largest of the glacier caps is Vatnajökull in south-east Iceland with an area of 8,400 km² (3,240 square miles), equal in size to all the glaciers on the European mainland put together. It feeds the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier which descends to sea level.

Edge of a Glacier
Source: Iceland Tourist Board