- Address: Solheimajokull, Iceland;
- The highest point: 1300 meters above sea level;
- Size: length - 8 km, width - 2 km.
Iceland is famous for its natural attractions that can charm anyone. Among these is the glacier Soulheimajkutl, located in the southern lands of the island and formed an unsurpassed coastline.
Location and dimensions
He is one of many such natural objects, but one of such incredible beauty. It is located Sowleymajkutlu nearby, from the recently erupted, the volcano Eyyafyadlyayukudl.
Clumps of ice descend virtually from another glacier, under no less complex for us name - Myrdalsjökull. Soulheimajkutl extends almost directly to the sea coast, covered with sands.
The glacier extends to a length of 11 kilometers, and its width varies from 1 to 2 kilometers in different parts.
Black and white glacier
It is generally believed that glaciers have a white hue, with light blue, but this does not apply to Soulheimmaktüll. It is covered with a black coating - it is a volcanic ash settling after eruptions.
It is noteworthy that ash affects negatively not only the appearance of the glacier, but also its size. After all, black ash is actively heated, under not too hot, sun rays, and this leads to the melting of ice under it.
In some places, the layer of ash is so dense, thick and uniform that you will not immediately think about the glacier. Although, of course, white colors are also present in sufficient quantities. Especially if you look at the glacier from the bottom up.
By the way, the highest point of the glacier is located at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level. And the lowest - only at a level of 100 meters above sea level.
The future of the glacier
With the help of glaciers, scientists are studying the features of climate development and the ecological situation on the island, at different periods of history. In particular, over the years of its work, specialists in this matter have managed to obtain a lot of useful and interesting information.
So, all the data obtained over the years of measurements, the analysis of climate change allowed scientists to make a prediction that it will be from 100 to 200 years, as the glacier completely melts.
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Water under the glacier
Under the thickness of the ice now and then formed the river, which causes surprise. After all, the ice on top is pretty strong and actually dry. However, out of the huge mass, the glacier gradually creeps down and due to intense friction, the temperature of the lower layers of the glacier rises and they begin to melt. That, in turn, leads to more intensive glacier sliding, friction and even more intense heating of the lower layers. As you can see, it turns out a vicious circle.
Although, if the top of the glacier grows, the melting of the lower part will not negatively affect the size of Soulheimmaktylu, but, as it was mentioned above, in recent years it has become much less.
How to get there?
The Sölheimajkütl Glacier is located almost 160 kilometers from the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik . There are often organized tourist trips, with experienced guides and guides.
You can go to the glacier and yourself by renting a car. Travel time is about 2.5 hours. But, again, this option is recommended only if you are not going to walk on the glacier, but want to look at it from a distance. Walking without a guide is fraught with accidents.
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