Increased hazard due to changing conditions at the margin of Sólheimajökull glacier
Unstable ice ridge and rockfall hazard along the access route
Over the past few weeks, significant changes have occurred at the margin of Sólheimajökull glacier, making access to the glacier more difficult and hazardous. Unstable ice formations near the proglacial lagoons and rockfall from surrounding mountain slopes can pose a danger to people traveling in the area. A small lagoon has formed to the east of the glacier tongue.
An ice ridge providing a route to the glacier edge has thinned and become unstable.
Tour operators have cancelled trips as a precautionary measure.
There is risk of rockfall on the access route to the glacier.
Changing conditions at the glacier margin
A small lagoon has formed east of Sólheimajökull's tongue. The new lagoon and the main proglacial lake delineate an ice ridge that forms a connection from the shore to the glacier. The ridge has recently rapidly diminished due to melting and calving, where icebergs break off into the lagoon.
Traversing this ice ridge now poses significant danger. There is a risk of unstable ice formations giving way, as well as a risk of slipping and falling into the cold, deep glacial lagoons on either side of the ridge. Consequently, reaching the Sólheimajökull glacier tongue is far more difficult and hazardous than before.
Conditions on the route to Sólheimajökull have changed substantially from day to day, and uncertain how they will develop in the coming weeks and months. It is critical that people traveling in the area at their own exercise caution near the glacier tongue and do not venture onto unstable ice formations or areas where there is a risk of falling into cold, deep glacial lagoons.
Local mountain guides are monitoring these changes, and tour operators have currently cancelled trips as a precaution while looking into new and safer routes.
Rockfall Risk along the Access Route to Sólheimajökull
The Icelandic Meteorological Office draws attention to the risk of rockfalls from Jökulhaus, the mountain overlooking the access route to the southeastern side of the Sólheimajökull glacier. Visitors should minimize their time spent beneath steep slopes. Rocks falling onto the access route can be large and pose a severe hazard to travellers. Rockfall can happen along most of the length of the hiking trail, so exercising extreme caution is essential.
Travelers are urged to pay close attention to steep slopes and stay alert for signs of rockfalls, such as recently fallen rocks or rumbling sounds. Rockfalls happen suddenly and cannot be accurately predicted. However, the likelihood of rockfall increases during heavy precipitation and sudden temperature changes, such as freeze-thaw cycles.
Changing Conditions Due to Glacial Retreat
Glaciers in Iceland are currently retreating due to the warming climate, leading to various changes at the glacier margins that can impact safety and conditions for glacier travel.
Marginal glacier lagoons are forming and expanding, which may block passage, quicksand forms near glacier margins, and the terrain becomes unstable where glaciers previously supported mountain slopes. Iceland's glaciers are unusually accessible to visitors, there are only a few places in the world where paved roads reach almost all the way to a glacier tongue. As a result, inexperienced travellers can easily find themselves in hazardous situations in the vicinity of retreating outlet glaciers.
It is vital that people understand the risks, follow instructions, exercise caution, respect the environment and remain mindful of the ever-changing conditions that prevail near glaciers.
Photo credit: Jón Heiðar Andrésson, head guide at Asgard Beyond.
