Jökulsárlón (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈjœːkʏlsˌaurˌlouːn]; translates to "glacial river lagoon") is a large glacial lake in southern part of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland.
Jökulsárlón is the largest and most active glacial lake in Iceland. It provides outstanding views of the ice cap Vatnajökull, a vast dome of ice that rises to a height of 900 m (3,000 ft) and shows how the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull calves into the lagoon.
The lagoon started to form in 1930's after the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull started to recede in the late 19th century, and it is getting bigger because the glacier is receding about 200m every year. The glacial front is now about 8 km (5.0 mi) away from the ocean's edge and the lake covers an area of about 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi). In 2009, it was reported to be the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 284 m (932 ft), as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The size of the lake has increased fourfold since the 1970s. Given the current retreat rate of Vatnajökull, likely a deep fjord will develop where Jökulsárlón is now. This retreat is also posing a threat to the National Highway Route 1 of Iceland.
The huge blocks of ice that calve from the edge of Vatnajökull are about 30 m (98 ft) high, which fills the lagoon stocked with icebergs. Some icebergs appear naturally sculpted on account volcanic ash from ancient eruptions that partly covers them.
The icebergs that calve from the glacier edge move towards the river mouth and get entrenched at the bottom. The movement of the icebergs fluctuates with the tide currents, as well as being affected by wind. However, they start floating as icebergs when their size is small enough to drift to the sea. These icebergs are seen in two shades: milky white and bright blue, which depends on the air trapped within the ice and is an interplay of light and ice crystals.
Icebergs gather at the mouth of the lake's shallow exit, melt down into smaller ice blocks, and roll out into the sea. Ice water and soil make a unique ecological phenomenon. Isolated large blocks of icebergs can be seen on the black sand beach, sometimes called "Diamond Beach" because of ice chunks scattered on the sand. The name of the beach is actually Eystri-Fellsfjara.
Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins, as well as the reality TV series The Amazing Race. In 1991, Iceland issued a postage stamp, with a face value of 26 kronur, depicting Jökulsárlón.
Source and for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6kuls%C3%A1rl%C3%B3n
We visited the area the morning of November 21st when it was foggy and again that night for an amazing view of the Northern Lights. The last 3 photos with the aurora were illuminated by a drone. The next morning, we went to Diamond Beach and found that the tide had pushed the ice into a line at the at the beginning of the beach so we headed to the Glacial Lagoon for another morning shoot.
These photos were taken on a photo workshop led by Icelander (Thorarinn Jonsson (Thor) and Mike Mezeul II (Nikon Ambassador). Both men are distinguished photographers and educators. A great sightseeing and educational experience. https://www.thor-photography.com/ and https://www.mikemezphotography.com/
Jökulsárlón is the largest and most active glacial lake in Iceland. It provides outstanding views of the ice cap Vatnajökull, a vast dome of ice that rises to a height of 900 m (3,000 ft) and shows how the outlet glacier Breiðamerkurjökull calves into the lagoon.
The lagoon started to form in 1930's after the glacier Breiðamerkurjökull started to recede in the late 19th century, and it is getting bigger because the glacier is receding about 200m every year. The glacial front is now about 8 km (5.0 mi) away from the ocean's edge and the lake covers an area of about 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi). In 2009, it was reported to be the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 284 m (932 ft), as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The size of the lake has increased fourfold since the 1970s. Given the current retreat rate of Vatnajökull, likely a deep fjord will develop where Jökulsárlón is now. This retreat is also posing a threat to the National Highway Route 1 of Iceland.
The huge blocks of ice that calve from the edge of Vatnajökull are about 30 m (98 ft) high, which fills the lagoon stocked with icebergs. Some icebergs appear naturally sculpted on account volcanic ash from ancient eruptions that partly covers them.
The icebergs that calve from the glacier edge move towards the river mouth and get entrenched at the bottom. The movement of the icebergs fluctuates with the tide currents, as well as being affected by wind. However, they start floating as icebergs when their size is small enough to drift to the sea. These icebergs are seen in two shades: milky white and bright blue, which depends on the air trapped within the ice and is an interplay of light and ice crystals.
Icebergs gather at the mouth of the lake's shallow exit, melt down into smaller ice blocks, and roll out into the sea. Ice water and soil make a unique ecological phenomenon. Isolated large blocks of icebergs can be seen on the black sand beach, sometimes called "Diamond Beach" because of ice chunks scattered on the sand. The name of the beach is actually Eystri-Fellsfjara.
Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins, as well as the reality TV series The Amazing Race. In 1991, Iceland issued a postage stamp, with a face value of 26 kronur, depicting Jökulsárlón.
Source and for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6kuls%C3%A1rl%C3%B3n
We visited the area the morning of November 21st when it was foggy and again that night for an amazing view of the Northern Lights. The last 3 photos with the aurora were illuminated by a drone. The next morning, we went to Diamond Beach and found that the tide had pushed the ice into a line at the at the beginning of the beach so we headed to the Glacial Lagoon for another morning shoot.
These photos were taken on a photo workshop led by Icelander (Thorarinn Jonsson (Thor) and Mike Mezeul II (Nikon Ambassador). Both men are distinguished photographers and educators. A great sightseeing and educational experience. https://www.thor-photography.com/ and https://www.mikemezphotography.com/
© David D. Dolton