A group of scientists will study glacier tongues south of Mýrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull ice caps, South Iceland, this summer to record the size and depth of glacial lagoons that have begun to form at their roots. The aim is to estimate the hazard of glacier calving and flooding. The research is conducted by the National University.
According to Fréttablaðið newspaper, two such incidents took place in 2007 and 1967 respectively. The 2007 incident occurred when massive chunks of Steinholtsjökull glacier collapsed into a glacial lagoon causing extensive flooding in nearby areas.
Þorsteinn Sæmundsson, who heads the research, says it is important to chart these lagoons as they are rapidly forming along most glacier tongues in South Iceland. “This shows that glaciers are retreating at an accelerated speed,” he explains.
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is Iceland’s most famous lagoon. It came into existence around 60 years ago, when Vatnajökull began to retreat due to climate warming. As it did so, it left deep gorges which then filled with meltwater and icebergs.
A group of scientists will study glacier tongues south of Mýrdalsjökull and Vatnajökull ice caps, South Iceland, this summer to record the size and depth of glacial lagoons that have begun to form at their roots. The aim is to estimate the hazard of glacier calving and flooding. The research is conducted by the National University.
According to Fréttablaðið newspaper, two such incidents took place in 2007 and 1967 respectively. The 2007 incident occurred when massive chunks of Steinholtsjökull glacier collapsed into a glacial lagoon causing extensive flooding in nearby areas.
Þorsteinn Sæmundsson, who heads the research, says it is important to chart these lagoons as they are rapidly forming along most glacier tongues in South Iceland. “This shows that glaciers are retreating at an accelerated speed,” he explains.
Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is Iceland’s most famous lagoon. It came into existence around 60 years ago, when Vatnajökull began to retreat due to climate warming. As it did so, it left deep gorges which then filled with meltwater and icebergs.
