8 Fun Facts About the Solheimajokull Glacier
Want to discover some fun facts about the Solheimajokull Glacier? Read on!
Located along the South Coast of Iceland, Solheimajokull Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the country.
Planning a trip to see the glacier? Visit the Solheimajokull Glacier website for the complete rundown on every single detail!
Solheimajokull Glacier Facts at a Glance
| Solheimajokull Glacier Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South Iceland, between Skógar and Vík í Mýrdal |
| Coordinates | 63.5302° N, 19.3701° W |
| Type | Outlet glacier of Mýrdalsjökull |
| Access Point | Sólheimajökull Parking Lot (Sólheimajökulsvegur off Ring Road) |
| Distance from Reykjavík | ~160 km (2.5-hour drive east via Route 1) |
| Glacier Features | Ice ridges, crevasses, moulins, ash-streaked ice from past eruptions |
| Formation | Ice flows down from the massive Mýrdalsjökull ice cap (covers Katla volcano) |
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How large is Solheimajokull Glacier?
The size of Solheimajokull Glacier is constantly changing, but currently it is estimated to be about 8 kilometers (5 miles) in length and about 1 to 2 kilometers (0.6-1.2 miles) wide.
In area, Solheimajokull Glacier currently covers about 44 square kilometers (17 square miles).
How thick is the ice at Solheimajokull Glacier?
The ice at Solheimajokull Glacier is estimated to be about 200 meters (656 feet) thick in some areas. That’s about half the height of the Empire State Building!
Not all parts of the glacier are equally thick, though, and the terrain is in a constant state of flux.
What does Solheimajokull mean?
Solheimajokull translates to “home of the sun.” Probably the name is derived from the fact that sunrise at the glacier is spectacular.
How do you pronounce Solheimajokull?
It’s a mouthful, but not too difficult to say once you break it down: sol-hey-mah-yuh-kull, although “kull”in Icelandic sounds more like “kutl.”
Why is Solheimajokull called “the Shrinking Glacier”?
Sadly, Solheimajokull Glacier is one of the fastest receding glaciers in the world.
It is retreating roughly 60 meters (about 200 feet) annually — the size of an Olympic swimming pool — earning it the nickname “Shrinking Glacier.”
It is estimated that Solheimajokull will vanish in a few decades if it continues to recede at this pace.
What are the black streaks on Solheimajokull Glacier?
Unlike other Icelandic glaciers, that tend to be pristine white or ice blue, Solheimajokull Glacier has dramatic grey streaks running through the white ice.
The grey streaks are ash deposits from the eruptions of the two volcanoes between which the glacier lies: Katla and Eyjafjallajökull. The latter actually erupted as recently as 2010, spewing fresh ash onto the glacier.
How old is Solheimajokull Glacier?
The most ancient ice at Solheimajokull Glacier is reported to be 400 to 600 years old.
Why is Solheimajokull Glacier called “the Creeping Glacier”?
Solheimajokull Glacier is an outlet glacier that stretches from the rim of the Katla volcano, at 1,300 meters (4,265 feet) to the lowlands at 100 meters (328 feet). Hence its nickname, “the Creeping Glacier.”
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