Vatnajökull, Ice cap in Eastern Region, Iceland
Vatnajökull is an ice cap in the Eastern Region, Northeastern Region, and Southern Region of Iceland, covering more than 8,100 square kilometers with thick glacier ice that hides valleys, mountain peaks, and active volcanoes. Several outlet glaciers flow outward from the central ice mass and often end in lagoons or coastal lowlands.
This ice cap formed roughly 2,000 to 2,500 years ago when separate mountain glaciers merged into one continuous ice mass during colder climate phases. Volcanic eruptions beneath the ice have repeatedly changed the shape and reach of the glaciers over the centuries.
The name translates as "Lakes Glacier," referring to the many meltwater lakes that form along its edges during warmer months. Visitors today can walk near these lakes and observe how ice melts continuously into turquoise pools that shift from year to year.
Organized tours provide equipment such as crampons and ice axes so visitors can safely walk on accessible sections of the glacier. Most tours depart from nearby villages or visitor centers and last several hours with breaks for photography and rest.
Several volcanic systems lie beneath the ice and trigger sudden glacier runs during eruptions, creating new ice caves that form differently each winter season. Some caves remain stable for only a few months before melting ice alters or closes their entrances.
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