Vatnajökull

Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Iceland and in Europe by area and volume. It is located in southeast Iceland and covers about 8,300 square kilometers. The ice cap reaches thicknesses of up to around one kilometer in places and comprises numerous outlet glaciers that extend toward the lowlands and coast.

The glacier sits atop the Vatnajökull volcanic system, a zone with several subglacial volcanoes, including Grímsvötn and Bárðarbunga. Eruptions beneath the ice can melt large amounts of ice and trigger glacial outburst floods, known as jökulhlaups, which can alter rivers and landscapes downstream.

The highest point in the Vatnajökull region is Hvannadalshnúkur, at 2,110 meters, located on Öræfajökull in the southern part of the area. The region is renowned for its dramatic glacial tongues, ice caves, and volcanic geology, features that draw scientists and visitors alike.

Vatnajökull National Park, established in 2008, covers the glacier and surrounding terrain and spans about 14,000 square kilometers, making it Europe’s largest national park by area. The park includes diverse environments from ice-covered peaks to lava fields and lava plains surrounding Skaftafell and the Jokulsárlón glacial lagoon, a well-known site where icebergs drift in a tidal lake.

In addition to its natural significance, Vatnajökull is a major center for glaciology, climate research, and tourism, offering guided glacier hikes, ice cave tours, and opportunities to study ongoing changes in Iceland’s ice.