Glacier variations in Iceland 1930-1995

Glacier variations in Iceland 1930-1995
popular radio
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as the Chairman
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worked for five
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; largest ice cap
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edition in 1951,
tnajokull by seisition to Myrdalsle Iceland Glaciollt of that Society
:ath in 1968. The
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Jout glaciers, supon glaciers and
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JLL, No. 45, 1998
From the database of the Iceland Glaciological Society
Oddur Sigurosson
National Energy Authority, Hydrological Service
Grensasvegi 9, 108 Reykjavik
Abstract- Obsermtions of the advance and retreat of glaciers in Icelandfronz 1930 to 1995 are
presented in tables and graphs. The records, which have previously been published in yearly reports in Jokull, have been computerised, checked and corrected and are ami/able on the Internet.
Most of the non-surging glaciers retreated strongly during the early half of the monitoring period
j(Jl!owed by a readvance or a slowing of the retreat after about 1970. Obser\'Citions of surge-type
glaciers are dominated by the surge events.
INTRODUCTION
In the year 1930, the meteorologist J6n Eyp6rsson
ht·gan monitoring the advance and retreat of glaciers
i11 kdand on a yearly basis (Eyp6rsson, 1931). Durthe 1930s, he started out with 44 different glaciers
and outlet glaciers, some of them measured at up to
live different locations. Of those, 28 are still attended
annually but some have been abandoned at least for
tlw time being. Thirteen new glacier tongues have
hccn added in later decades so that monitoring is now
('arricd out on 41 glaciers or outlet glaciers at 55 local ions. The measurements of each year are reported in
1he journal 1 okull and the measurements of the first
I0 and 30 years were summarised and interpreted by
EyJ16rsson (1942, 1963).
The monitored glaciers are located in different
parts of Iceland and few are accessible by convention:11 roads. Measurements are canied out by lay people
of' different occupations, often members of the Iceland Glaciological Society. Through the years, most
ol' them have been farmers. Many of them have carried on for decades. The record holder had in 1995
measured his glaciers for 49 consecutive years not
missing out on a single year!
In the beginning, most of the bench marks estab1ishcd at the glacier fronts were cairns of rock, but
gradually they have been substituted by poles of steel
engraved with a number and the emblem of the
ill).'.
.J()KULL, No. 45, 1998
Glaciological Society. Measurements are in most
cases made by tape or a string of known length.
Reports were made in a personal letter to the late
J6n Eyp6rsson until 1966. These letters are archived
at the Glaciological Society. Since 1967, the surveyor
has filled in a form stating the measured distances together with a brief description if something unusual
was observed at the site. Since 1964, a subset of the
data has been sent to the World Glacier Monitoring
Service (WGMS) (Permanent Service on the Fluctuations of Glaciers of the IUGG- FAGS ICSU, 1973,
1977, 1985; World Glacier Monitoring Service, 1988,
1993), where it is available in the publications of the
WGMS and electronically.
This paper publishes all the observations since J6n
Eyp6rsson's initiation of regular glacier monitoring in
Iceland in the 1930's. The data are compiled from the
original records, the yearly reports in Jokull (Eyp6rsson/Rist/Sigurosson, 1951-95) and from Eyp6rsson
(1942, 1963). The original reports have been checked
and a few errors and misinterpretations which were
found in the yearly reports have been corrected.
In some cases, the location of glacier termini before the initiation of regular monitoring has been inferred from maps, aerial photographs or other means
by geologists or other scientists working in the area.
Some such observations from this and the previous
century are included in the data compiled here as in
Eyp6rsson (1942, 1963). This compilation of such ob-
3
servations is, however, not a complete cataloguing of
all available evidence of that kind. The compilation of
the regul ar observations of glacier variations in Iceland presented here is, on the other hand , meant to be
a complete catalogue of the data in the archives of the
Iceland Glaciological Society fro m 1930 to 1995.
The data published in this paper are available from
the anonymous ftp site of the National Energy Authority in Iceland (net address : ftp.os.is , location:
/publglaciers!variations,files: advret. zip or advret.gz) .
OBSERVATIONS OF GLACIER
VARIATIONS IN ICELAND
In addition to the work started by J6n Eyp6rsson
in the 1930s, the variations of glaciers in Iceland have
been observed or derived by indirect means by several other workers. J6n Eyp6rsson (1935) wrote an article on the variation of Drangajokull from historical
accounts. Sigurour I>6rarinsson used information
fro m annals and other sources to derive the variations
of outlet glaciers from Drangajokull and of south
flowing glaciers from Vatnajokull after 1690 (Thorarinsson, 1943 ; 1>6rarinsson 1974). He also used old
historical accounts to deri ve the variations of
Breioamerkurj okull which has in recent centuries advanced over a region which was populated for several
centuries after the settlement of Iceland in the 9th
century (Thorarin sson, 1941 , 1956; 1>6rarinsson,
1974; Bjornsson, 1996). F. Bjornsson (1998) describes information from various sources about the location of the terminus of BreioamerkUijokull in this
and the previous century and concludes that the retreat of both Breioamerkurjokull and other glaciers in
the vicinity was very slow during the first quarter of
the 20th century.
Glaciers in Iceland are described in an extensive
chapter in Thoroddsen's (1932) geographical descrip-
(-260000,700000)
(-820000 ,700000)
0
100 km
I HHHHH
(-820000,300000)
EI:ISV 19980223
(-260000 ,300000)
Fig. 1. Map showing the location of monitored glacier termini in the data set.
- Yfirlitskort.
4
JOKULL, No. 45 , 1998
----------
;ed information
ve the variations
tll and of south
tfter 1690 (ThoHe also used old
~ variations of
ent centuries adtlated for several
eland in the 9th
;6; P6rarinsson,
;son (1998) derces about the lo·kurjokull in this
udes that the reother glaciers in
te first quarter of
i in an extensive
:raphical descrip-
-260000,700000)
11t 111 <II Iceland. This work includes information on the
, In ;II ion of the equilibrium line of several glaciers at
1111 111111 of the century.
I·iriksson (1932) describes the position of several
'!It I kt glaciers at the south-eastern margin of Vatnai"l· 1111 and Baroarson (1934) describes glacier varialt<llt'i in Iceland on the basis of old historical accounts
.111d other sources, including observations from the
lwJ•itlning of this century. Glaciological knowledge
111 !,·,·land before 1800 was summarised by Sigurour
I•<H :1ri nsson (Thorarinsson, 1960), but this descriplt<Ht dm~s not contain much information about glacier
1 :tri:ll ions.
Hji\rnsson's (1979) overview article in Jokull de•,,ri lws glaciers in Iceland in general and includes a
,J,·sniption of changes in glaciation, both prehistoric
1 li:tll)',es and variations since the settlement oficeland.
Maps published in 1905 by the Danish General
,':t:tll based on surveying canied out in 1903 and 1904
tl\ltlrlund, 1944), contain information about the posilt<ltl <>I many glacier tongues on the southern margin of
----~--------------------
Vatnajokull and Myrdalsjokull at this time. The maps
were used by Eyp6rsson (1931, 1942, 1963) to establish the position of several termini in this area before
his initiation of regular glacier monitoring in 1930.
Oblique aerial photographs, taken by the Danish
General Staff in 1937 and 1938 provide some information about the position of glaciers in several locations in Iceland. These photographs are, however, not
easily interpreted in quantitative terms and have not
been much used.
Aerial photographs take by the U.S. Army Map
Service in 1945 and 1946, and by the U.S. Defense
Mapping Agency in 1960 and 1961 cover the whole
of Iceland and provide extensive information on the
position of glaciers at two different points in time.
The earlier set of photographs is the basis of maps
published by the Army Map Service in 1949-1951 in
the scale of 1:50,000, which show the location of the
termini of most glaciers in Iceland. Another set of
1:50,000 scale maps was published by the Defence
Mapping Agency in cooperation with Landm~lingar
dJ sv 19980223
• Paralatursjokull
Reykjarfjaroarjokull·
• Leirufjaroarjokull
~
I
Drangajokull
Blagilsjokull
II
Snoofellsjokull
• Norourkinn
• Jokulhals
• Hyrningsjokull
H61atindajokulj
• Kaldal6nsjokull
v 19980223
! /01 OJ9, 624JE5)
0
'-260000,300000)
JLL, No. 45, 1998
\
10km
~=~===~
Fig. 2. Location maps of Drangajiikull (a) and Snxfellsjiikull (b).
Vfirlitskort af Drangajokli (a) og Sna;fellsjokli (b).
JC)KULL, No. 45, 1998
~
sv 19980223
5
Table l. Measurement period and characteristics of the glaciers in the glacier variation data set. If the locations of the te1mini have
been inferred from maps, aerial photographs or other indirect sources before the initiation of regular monitoring, then the first year
of such information is given in the measurement period column separated from the measurement period itself by a comma.
- Mcelitfmabil og i:ennistceroirfyrirjokla ]Jar semj6klabreytingar hafa veri a mceldm: Efstaoa j6i:ulspou~a aour en mcelingar h6F
ust lzefur 1·erio metin tit fra kortum. /oftmyndwn eoa 6orwn heimildum jJa er kemur upplzafsar slfkra gagna fram fremst f tim a-
bilsdalknwn.
Glacier
Aspect
Drangajokull
w
1. Leirufjar5arj0kul 1
SW
2. Kalda16nsj6kul'
NE
3. Reykjarfjaroarjokul'
NE
4. J?ara1atursjokull
II. Snrefellsjiikull
E
1. Hyrningsjdkull
NE
2. Jokulhais
N
3. NorOurkinn
N
4. Blagilsjokull
sw
5. H6latim1ajokull
s
6. SuOurkinn
III. Eyjafjallajiikull
N
1. Gigjokull
s
2. Se1javallajoku11
IV. M)nlalsjokull
SSW
1. S61heimajokull
ESE
2. Kotlujokull
E
3. 01dufc11sjoku1'
V. Vatnajokull
s
1. Skeioararjokull'
SW
2. Mor"\rjoku11
SW
3. Skaftafc11sjokull
WSW
4. Sdnafellsjokull
WSW
5. Yirkisjokull
WSW
6. Falljokull
s
7. G1jCrfursarjokull
s
8. Stigarjokull
s
9. H61arjokull
SE
10. K vii\rjokul1
E
11. Hrtitarjokull
E
12. Fjallsjokull
13. BrciOamerkurjOkull. west stream 1 SE
SE
---"---.middle stream 1
SE
---"---,east stream 1
s
14. Fellsarjokull
ESE
15. Br6karj6kull
s
16. Birnuda1sjokull
s
17. E) vindstungnajokull
ESE
18. Sk:i1afellsjokull
SE
19. 1-Ieinabergsjokull
SE
20. Flaajokull
SE
21. Svfnafellsj6ku11. Hornaf.
SE
22. Hoffellsjokull
s
23. Hoffellsda1sj6kull
N/NNE
24. Eyjabakkajoku1'
N
25. Brtiarjoku1'
N
26. Kverkjokull
sw
27. Tungna3rj0kul 1
SSW
28. Si5uj6kul'
Measurement period
Years
Area
km'
Length
km
I.
6
1887, 19311840. 19311850. 19311931-1941
193119341934-1949
1930-1954
1930-1936
1930-1933
19301930-1950
27
37
6
6
22
3.5
7.5
193019931961-
44
133
40
1904, 1932193219321904. 1932193219571932-1960
1933-1939
1933-1939
1934194719331933193219321940-1964
1935-1994
1935-1966
1935-1966
1905. 19301905. 19301905. 19301934-1992
1930-1979
1935-1945
1971-1985
1963-1988
1963-1993
1944. 19551933, 1964-
1380
30
85
24
6
8
4
5
5
24
12
48
160
210
540
ma.s.l.
140-900
140-900
100-900
300-800
2.5
2.5
1
1.5
700-1450
700-1350
700-1300
700-1450
1000-1400
800-1400
7.5
3.5
190-1660
700-1660
2
2.5
1.5
3
Elev. range
15
23
15
110-1500
200-1500
320-1400
50
10
18
12
8.5
8
4.5
5.5
7
13
8.5
15
20
30
40
5.5
3
100-1740
180-1380
100-1900
120-2100
150-2100
140-2000
850-1740
600-1740
240-1750
40-2100
100-1900
40-2040
60-1900
40-1730
0-1730
440-1500
200-1200
1000-1100
40060-1480
60-1520
50-1520
20-1500
20-1460
340680-1520
550-1900
900-1920
580-1720
590-1740
0.5
100
85
180
200
230
25
25
29
19
21
109
1700
29
235
500
18
45
11
40
40
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
( i!acier
of the termini have
g, then the first year
'by a comma.
\I,
'tr en ma!lingar hor
fram fremst i timaElev. range
111 a.s.l.
\II.
llol'sjiikull
I lll,ignfpuj6kull
, N'nllhagaj6kull
I. Mtilaj6kul'
·I. s,\tujiikull
700-1450
700-1350
700-1300
700-1450
1000-1400
800-1400
llagafellsjokull vestar '
llagafellsjokull eystri
\, Jiikulkr6kur
\Ill. llrt'tlfell
I
190-1660
700-1660
110-1500
200-1500
320-1400
100-1740
180-1380
!00-1900
120-2100
150-2100
140-2000
850-1740
600-1740
240-1750
40-2100
100-1900
40-2040
60-1900
40-1730
0-1730
440-1500
200-1200
1000-1100
40060-1480
60-1520
50-1520
20-1500
20-1460
340680-1520
550-1900
900-1920
580-1720
590-1740
ULL, No. 45, 1998
I NorOurkinn. austur
.', NorOurkinn. miG
\, NorOurkinn. vestur
Norilvestwjokull
Kl'rlingarfjiill
I. I "''omundarjokull
Norour1andsjiik1ar
I, (iljtirurarjokull
-', ll(llsjiikull
-I.
1~.
X.
l\·leasurement period
Years
Area
knY~
Length
km
Ele\,. range
ma.s.l.
13
18
20
20
860-1750
630-1780
610-1800
860-1800
18
19
11
450-1350
440-1350
720-1350
SW
1932-1941
51
s
1932-
25
SE
N
19321950-
70
90
s
s
NE
1890. 193-11890. 19341890. 1933-
105
55
NE
NE
NE
NW
1933-1948
1933-1959
1933-1959
1933-!959
0.5
0.5
1
N
1932-1962
1.5
N
N
NNW
NE
N
NNW
193919721939-1958
1900, 19751939-1957
1993-
3
0.5
2.5
.j
2.5
1.5
1.5
l.au~jiikull
),.
140-900
140-900
100-900
300-800
Aspect
\, 'l'liJlgnahryggsjbkull
·I. llark>irda1sjokull
S. B;egis,l.rjbkull
(\,
(irimslandsjokull
ISO
1.5
1.5
750-I-100
750-!400
690-1400
750-1300
960-1300
I
600-1340
760-1010
700-1340
950-1350
940-1300
550-1040
'Stll")'.\'··typc glacier
l·.l:tllds in 1988-1990. This set of maps covers the
1111ddil' part of Iceland, but the mapping has not been
'<l!ilpktcd for the eastern and western parts.
( luttormur Sigbjarnarson derived the variations of
•,, till 11 !'lowing glaciers from Langjokull (Sigbjarnar.,. 111. 1967), since approximately 1890, and north
flowing glaciers from Hofsjokull (Sigbjarnarson,
I 'li) I), since the turn of the century, from geological
''vidence, aerial photographs and maps.
Maps of the bedrock and ice surface of the main
Wt' caps of Iceland have been made by the Science In:.JJitJtt~ of the University of Iceland (Bjomsson, 1988;
IIJi imsson and others, 1992; Bjornsson, and Pals son,
I'!') I; Bjornsson and Palsson, 1994 ). These maps
"lt"w the outlines of Hofsjokull, large areas of VatnaJdktill and Myrdalsjokull, usually at the time of the
lll:tpping, but sometimes derived from other older in1' ltlllation such as aerial photographs.
Several foreign scientists and students have done
!'t'()lllorphological and geological research on Icel:ttHiic glaciers in this century. Some of their results
h:tvc been incorporated in the tables of glacier varia1ions below. Results of such investigations have not
lwl'll systematically catalogued and further work
tll't'ds to be done in order to extract more information
J<lKULL, No. 45, 1998
about glacier variations in Iceland from these sources.
DESCRIPTION OF GLACIERS
Most of the monitored glaciers in Iceland are outlet glaciers from larger ice caps, the largest of which
are Vatnajokull, Hofsjokull, Langjokull and Myrdalsjokull (Fig. 1). Each of the ice caps and the monitored
outlet glaciers is briefly described below. Some
glaciers have been monitored at several locations,
sometimes in order to observe different branches or
streams of a large outlet glacier, but more often in
order to obtain a better picture of the average or overall behaviour of the glacier. Table I lists the glaciers
grouped according to the corresponding ice cap or
area. The length of the centre line of the glaciers, the
area and the elevation range are mainly derived from
two series of 1:50,000 scale maps: the AMS Series
C762, compiled from aerial photographs taken in
1945 and 1946, and the DMA Series C761 compiled
in 1988-1990 from "best available sources", probably
aerial or space based images taken in the 1980s. The
information about Drangajokull and Smefellsjokull in
the west and about bnefajokull and Vatnajokull east
of Onefajokull in the east are based on the AMS Se-
7
em side have been carried out by local fa nners and by
the same one from 1948 to 1995 . The glacier surged
in the 1830s (Eyp6rsson, 1935) and 1930s.
Local farmers made meas urements at Para/atursjokull, which is a small outlet glacier to the north of
Reykjarfj ar5arjokull , in the 1930s. The last 5 measurements published in Eyp6rsson (1963) are not tabulated here since the observer stated that the terminus
was covered with fim. No surges are recorded.
ries C762. The information about most of the other
glaciers is based on the DMA Series C76l. Information on Nauthagajokull , Mulajokull, Satujokull,
Tungnaatj okull and Eyjabakkajokull are derived from
glacier maps in Bjornsson (1988).
DRANGAJOKULL
Drangajokull is an ice cap on the NW peninsula
with three major outlet glaciers descending belo w
200 m a.s. l. , Leirufjar5atjokull , Kaldal6nsjokull and
Reykjarfjar5arjokull (Fig. 2a) . They are all surgetype. The area of the ice cap was 160 km 2 in 1960
(Bjornsson, 1978) and it reaches a maximum elevation of 925 m a.s.l.
Leirufjaromjoku/1 in the north-western part of the
ice cap was monitored by two fann ers from 1931 to
1960 and by an inhab itant of a neighbouring town
since 1966. The glacier surged in the 1830s (Eyp6rsson, 1935) and 1930s and a third surge started in 1995.
Kalda l6nsjokull on the south- western side has
been monitored since 1931 by two farmers, a father
and a son. As for Leirufjar5atjokull, surges were
recorded in the 1830s (Eyp6rsson, 1935) and 1930s
and more recently in 1995 .
Surveys of Reykjarfjaromjokull on the north-east-
SNIEFELLSJOKULL
The Smefellsjokull ice cap covers a central volcano at the westem end of the Smefellsnes peninsula
(Fig. 2b). It is the westernmost glacier in Iceland and
had an area of 11 km 2 in 1960 (Bjornsson, 1978).
Summit elevation is 1446 m a.s.l. No historical eruptions are known in Smefellsjokull. Five different locations were chosen for monitoring in the early 1930s.
Hyrningsjokull and Jokulhals on the eastern margin of the ice cap have been monitored to the present
day. The terminu s at Jokulhals has been inactive during this period and covered by snow for decades and
therefore not accessible for measurements since the
1950s. Hyrningsjokull, a non-surging glacier has, on
the other hand, been highly active and has given a
(-534000.372000)
(-589000. 372000)
10 km
0
lt:::HS::::Ha:::::JHH::JH=:=H=i
Oldufellsjoku i1
• Gfgjokull
IV
Ill
Eyjafjallajokull
Myrdalsjokull
• s'E!i1avallajokull
S61heimajokull, vesturtunga S61heimajok ull, JokuiHaus
~
Kotlujokull
.. S61holm•j0k"ll, '""""""''
rn sv 1998 0 223
1
8
(
-589000. 330000)
-
-
(-534000 .330000)
-'----
Fig. 3. Location map of Eyjafjallajokull and Myrdalsjokull.
-Yfir/itskort af Eyjafjal/ajokli og
Myrda/sjokli.
JOKULL, No. 45 , 1998
l farmers and by
e glacier surged
930s.
ts at Paralatursr to the north of
The last 5 mea963) are not tab:hat the terminus
recorded.
rs a central vol~llsnes peninsula
~r in Iceland and
,ornsson, 1978).
) historical erupve different locahe early 1930s.
the eastern mared to the present
een inactive dur. for decades and
~ments since the
g glacier has, on
and has given a
n map of Eyjafjalladalsjokull.
( Eyjafjallajokli og
JLL, No. 45, 1998
\l)'l!al or climate changes. Two farmers, a father
·:o11, have carried out the measurements since
! "i• I, 11111 prior to that several people did the readings.
ill• 111:11 k at location l was moved in 1963 and there
·' <HI<' ye:tr gap in the record at this point in time
IH'II till' glacier was slowly retreating according to
. .! • .• 1Viti inns at the terminus that year. The gap was
1d I• ,J wit 11 tile average rate of retreat of two years pre,, dlliJ' :11Hilwo years following the gap.
/l,if<~tindaj6ku!!, B!agi!sj6kuf! and Norourkinn on
II;. ,,·,·o;t,·rn and northern margins of the ice cap were
tll>'.t'dlll'd for a some time between 1930 and 1954.
llymingsjokull and Blagilsjokull were monitored
il ' " ' 1 and three adjacent locations, respectively, in the
I' 1 \i 1:; aiHI 1940s, in order to obtain a better picture of
' I·
the average variations of the tennini. Hymingsji:ikull
is cunently monitored at one location, but observations of Blagilsjokull were abandoned in 1954.
:!1
,,,,1
.1
EYJAFJALLAJOKULL
Eyjafjallajokull is an ice cap in central southern
Iceland with many outlet glaciers (Fig. 3). The area
was 78 km' in 1973 (Bjomsson, 1978). Two of the outlet glaciers have been monitored. The ice cap covers
the summit of a central volcano that has erupted once
in historical time (1821-1823). The summit elevation
is 1666 m a.s.l.
Gfgjokuf! is an outlet glacier that runs to the north
out of the summit crater. The tongue calves into a
proglacial lake. It has been monitored since 1930,
"'BrUarj6kull
sEyjabakkaj6kull
,..Kverkj6kull
Ho1iellsdalsj6kull"'
SvlnafellsjOkull i HornafirOL "
-
v
Vatnajokull
Hoffells
j6kull
Fl8aj6kull, austur 2
FlliajOku!!, H6lms8rgar5ur~ ";,FI8aj6kul!,
Fl8aj0kull, vestan H61ms8r "'
u
tt~stur
1
'
, lU!)\)Illlll!jOkull
f:Br6karj0kul~
Birnuda!sj6ku!!
,Fells8rj6kull
~
../
u
,,Si0uj6ku!!, staOur 2
"'Mors.SrjOku!l
"'Si0uj6kul!, staOur 1
BreiOamer)<urjOkull, Sk81is
SkeiOarilrjOkull, austur
lV~.
Skeiear8rj6kuH, auswr !'L "
SkeiOarB:rjOkull, vestur'"'
Skei0ar8:rj6ku!l,
austur l
====~20km
,.BreJ~a~rkurjOkull, NYgrreOur
BreiOamerku rj6ku II, BreiOamerkUIJja!l §fjalls jOku 11,)3-Yeioamerku rfjall
,.SkaftafeUsjOkuJJ HrUtarjtikull
aSvinafellsjOkull
.,. Fjallsj~ll, Fitjar
,.e Fja!lsjOkull, Gamlasel
Virkisj6kul~ FalljOkull
2
'
St§lftfji:iftull
""'
BreiOaryei-kurj6ku II, Fellsfjall
zBrejiY8merkurj0kull, Stemma
Gljlifurs<'nji:ikuH
EKya'rjcikull
H618rj6~UII
I;ig. 4. Location map of Vatnajokull.
Vjir!itskort af \iatnajokli .
.IOKULL, No. 45, 1998
9
first by local farmers , and for the last 3 decades by
professional surveyors. Measurements from 1943-46
were not listed in Eyp6rsson (1963). They are tabulated here based on the original sources. The variations
fro m 1946 to 1954 are based on the observation that
the glacier was slowly retreating 1946 to 1947 , on
aerial photographs from 1945 , 1960 and 1980 and on
the total change over the period 1943 to 1954 given in
Eyp6rsson (1963).
Seljavallajokull is an outlet glacier that runs to the
south and was monitored at two locations for some
time in the 1930s and 1940s by local farmers.
MYRDALSJOKULL
M yrdalsjokull is an ice cap in central southern Iceland with many outlet glaciers (Fig. 3). It had an area
of about 580 krn 2 in 1991 according to Bjornsson and
Palsson (1994). The glacier covers a central volcano
with a 110 km 2 caldera. Summit elevation reaches
close to 1500 m a.s.l. Volcanic eruptions have occuned on average twice a century through historical
time. Some of those have melted 8 km 3 of ice or more
causing huge jokulhlaups (T6masson, 1996). The last
large jokulhlaup occuned in 1918.
S6lheimajokull is a valley glacier that runs out of
the caldera towards south . The snout bifurcates and
has been measured at three locations since 1930 by
members of the Icel and Glaciological Society.
Kotlujokull is an expanded foot glacier on the
eastern side of Myrdalsjokull. It is just recently taken
up for monitoring by a local farmer. For six centuries
all major jokulhlaups from Myrdalsjokull have issued
from this main outlet glacier of the ice cap.
0/dufellsjokull is a surge-type glacier that runs towards east. Surges occur approxim atel y every ten
years on average. The glacier has been monitored by
local fanners since 1961.
VATNAJOKULL
Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Iceland covering
many volcanoes (Fig. 4 ). It had an area of 8100 krn 2 in
1991 according to Landsat images. The ice cap is a
(-517750 ,507000)
(-634000 ' 507000)
Satujokull,
Eyfir0ingah61ar.
Satujokull,
• Lambahrauni
VI
Hofsjokull
NorOurkinn, vestur
NorOurkinn, miO
NorOurkinn, austur
VIII
VII
Langjokull
(-634000 '439000)
Hrutfell
• LoOmundarjokull
IX
Nauthagajoku~ ·
Kerlingarfj611
. lrlagafellsjokull eystri
- staOur 1
rn sv 1ssso223
(-517750 . 439000)
Fig. 5. Location map of Hofsji:ikull and Langji:ikull. The map also show the location of glac iers in Hnitfell and the location of
Loomundmji:ikull in Kerlingarfji:ill.
- Yfirlitskort af Hofsjokli and Langjokli. Kortio synir einnig jok/a Hrutfe/li og Loomundmjokul f Kerlingmfjollum.
a
10
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
Fig. 6. Location map of monitored glacier termini in Triillaskagi and neighbouring areas, northern Iceland.
- Yfir/itskort afjokulsporoum a Trollaskaga og a na:rliggjandi Sl'G!Ol/171 aNorourlandi }Jar semma:/ingar astooujokul~poroa hafa fa rio fram.
n' of ice or more
1, 1996). The last
f\l111
c that runs out of
.tt bifurcates and
1s since 1930 by
tl Society.
1t glacier on the
1st recently taken
For six centuries
okull have issued
ce cap.
acier that runs tonately every ten
~en monitored by
()urlandsjoklar
,Grimslandsjokul!
!
"----~'---.,
\
..,
, Halsjokull
~l
• Gljufurarjokull
• lungnahryggsjokull
Barkardalsjokull
, BEBgisarjokull
20 km
()
~
n Iceland covering
·ea of 8100 km' in
The ice cap is a
sv 19980223
or many jokulhlaups,
which originate from ice
lakes, are induced by geothetmal melting, and,
"' , ;L-;ionally, are caused by volcanic eruptions. Vatna.lllllll'
d.illllill'd
jokull has many surge-type and non-surging outlet
glaciers. Some of them are of mixed type, featuring both
surges and variations induced by climate fluctuations.
Large, lobate, surge-type outlet glaciers flow to the
north and west, but many of the outlet glaciers along the
south-eastem margin are smaller, steeper and non-surging. bnefajokull is an independent ice cap with many
steep outlet glaciers to the west, south and east. On the
nm1h side, it merges with the south side of Vatnajokull.
It has an elevation range of more than 2000 m.
Skeioar(njokull is a large outlet glacier at the southem margin of Vatnajokull. Two medial moraines divide
Skeioanirjokull into three different ice streams. The
middle and west stream are mixed-type as they surge at
inegular intervals, but the tetminus variations nevertheless reveal decadal variations in the mass balance.
1: LeirufjarOarjOkuH, Orangajbkfi
2: Kaldal6nsj6kull, Drangaj6kli
3: Reykjarfjaroarj6kull, Drangaj6kli
1jokull,
tbahrauni
4: Paralatursj6kull, Drangajdkli
5: Hyrningsj6kul!, stabur 1, Sncefel!sj6kli
0
0
6: J6kulhals, Snaefellsj6kli
7: Norburkinn, Smefellsjbkli
lf)
C\J
8: Blagilsj6kull, staour 2, Snaefellsj6kli
9: H61atindaj6kull, Sncefellsj6kli
I1i
•P
I'
:n
sjokull
0
0
0
('\j
~J.l
''
I
'"
11
0
0
lf)
nl
0)
i
Mulajokull
"suour
11· Mulajokull
vestur
l
111
l
0
0
0
I
j
(
)
0
0
LO
''
0
oll and the location of
1930
1940
1950
1960
ngmfjol/um.
I·i I'. 7. Glacier variations of Drangajokull and Smefellsjokull.
.liik/ahreytingar, Drangajoku/1 and Sna:fe//sjoku/1.
.ULL, No. 45, 1998
J(>KULL, No, 45, 1998
1970
1980
-
....
---3
1990
2000
11
The westem side has been monitored since 1932 by
two local fanners, a father and son. The eastem side
was monitored by local fanners at up to 5 locations
from 1932-1979 and by a member of the Iceland
Glaciological Society since 1980 at three different locations in order to observe differences in the variations
of this large outlet glacier.
Mors{njokull was monitored by local farmers in
the period 1932-1979 and by a member of the Iceland
Glaciological Society since 1980. It falls down a 350
m high ice fall about 5 km from the terminus. A medial moraine runs downglacier from the ice fall.
Skaftafellsjokull has been monitored since 1932
by local farmers and by the same one since 1947. For
some time around the middle of the century there
were marks at four different locations by the terminus, but the monitoring is cunently only canied out at
one location. A medial moraine runs 9 km along the
south-eastem margin.
S1·inafellsjokull, which runs from brcefaji:ikull, has
been monitored since 1932 at up to five different lo-
cations, but the monitoring is currently only carried
out at one location. The next eight glaciers listed
below are also a part of brcefaji:ikull.
Virkisjokull and F alljokull are currently independent valley glaciers but the two snouts coalesced on
the lowland below brcefaji:ikull in the early decades of
the century. The glaciers were separated around 1940
and Fallji:ikull has been monitored separately since
1957.
G/jzifurs{njokull, Stig{njokull and H6/{njokull are
small valley glaciers that run to the south from brcefaji:ikull. They were monitored by local farmers.
Kviclljoku/1, Hrut{njoku/1 and Fjallsjokull have
been monitored by local farmers, a father and his
sons. They have also carried out the monitoring of the
westem part of Breioamerkmji:ikull. The terminus of
Kviarji:ikull is sunounded by huge, semi-circular, prehistoric moraines which contained the advance of the
glacier during the Little Ice Age. Fjallsji:ikull has been
monitored at three locations, two adjacent locations
near the sou them margin and one close to the northern
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
0
0
L()
Gigjbkull, Eyjafjallajbkli
Seljava!laj6kul!, staOur 1, Eyjafjallaj6kli
Seljavallajbkull, staOur 2, Eyjafjallaj6kli
S61heimaj6kul!, vesturtunga, M:frdalsj6kli
S61heimaj6kull, J6kulhaus, M:frdalsjbkli
S61heimaj6ku!l, austurtunga, MYrdalsj6kli
bldufellsj6kul!, MYrdalsjbkli
I
co
~
~
Cii
(.)
0
0
0
c
C'U
>
'D
C'U
(!)
>
~
"S
E
:::J
0
0
0
L()
0
1930
1940
1950
1960·
Fig. 8. Glacier variations of Eyjafjallaji:ikull and Myrdalsjokull.
-Joklabreytingm~ E)jafja/lajokull and Myrda/sjoku/1.
12
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
tly only canied
glaciers listed
nently indepenIts coalesced on
early decades of
ted around 1940
separately since
I H6l(njokull are
1uth from bnefafarmers.
jallsjokull have
a father and his
nonitoring of the
The terminus of
~mi -circular, preJe advance of the
llsjokull has been
djacent locations
se to the northern
"' · 11 L The glacier calves into a pro glacial lagoon,
u,,.fl)l/11/erkwjokull is a large outlet glacier which
• • '' 11posed of three ice streams, designated western-,
·, 1111al and eastern branch (Bjornsson and others,
i' I ' lljiirnsson, 1996). The branches are separated
h 111 • 1distinct medial moraines. The glacier has been
"" "111< nt ·d at up to 7 locations by local fanners since
I 'J \ '. The western branch, which calves into a
1" "I' Lll'ial lagoon, Breioarl6n, is divided into two parts
I •1 ;1 llll'dialmoraine. The westemmost part originates
1" 1lw .-;ummit caldera of brcefajokull. The eastern
I •I ;1111 il t·alves into a tidal lagoon, Jokulsarl6n, which
I,)
I)
Ill
(\j
3-..
4-....._
()
..
'
'
s.........._"'
---\
~~~....
6
\ ,.. .... ,
~~
\1
,,
--~--
8
-
13
-
-
---
·.
' .:\. <·9
.
........... ...
12~--<::·
..
•,
\ ......,
-
---=.::. -
'---......_ ....
1930
1940
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
-
-
-
-
-
-4
-=---
1
...._-' ....... .....,- "------- / - " ,__- __.-..... ...--- 11
\
\
-- .,- -
12
.........__........_
\
-
/ ""'...._ .........
"'--...._.._
"'
ULL, No. 45, 1998
-
'
'"'-....:~-..... ...... _~
- - - -- - - :>---.
6
, __ '-~ . . . ----- - - - - ~
·3
'~00-~--~.::::::::.__;;:_
14 \ ""-........___ ................ '
2000
,__ _ _ _ _
~' -
·-- ···-··. ..
__.,..-----....--5 ---------7
.,.--__.... ___ . . . . --
'7-""" - -......._______
_......__........__
•, ' ' -
9--..
1 0 \ ·.•
11 \........ ·...
990
has a maximum depth of approximately 200 m. Surge
activity in the eastern branch has been described in
historical accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries
and during the first decades of the 20th century (Palsson, 1945; Thienemann, 1824; Bjornsson, 1996; F.
Bjomsson, this volume). Small scale surge activity has
also been recorded in the central branch and in the
westem branch.
F ells(njokull is not a part of the Vatnajokull ice
cap since it is only connected to the main ice cap by
firn fields across a water divide. It was monitored by a
local farmer.
Br6kmjokull was monitored by local farmers until
,.dJ·"IIIi"lll.
__
--'"'
-............_ ...__,.. --.....
---'"
1950
Mors8.rj6kul!, staOur 1, Vatnaj6kli
Skaftafellsj6kull, sta5ur 2, Vatnaj6kli
Skaftafellsj6kull, staOur 3, Vatnaj6kli
SvfnafellsjOkull, staOur 2, 6rrefaj6kli
Svfnafellsj6kull, staOur 4, 6rrefaj6kli
Virkisj6kull, 6rrefaj6kli
Fallj6kul!, Orrefaj6kli
'........._ ... /-......._
1960
__ ---...__
__ ' - .
v
_,------~
-
-13
,
__.., ,
1970
....__ ...
- ...-------
1980
............................
1990
...-14
2000
8: GljUfurs8.rj6ku!l, Orrefaj6kli
9: Stig8.rj6kull, 6rrefaj6kli
10: H618.rj6kull, Orrefaj6k!i
11: Kvf8.rj6kull, 6rrefaj6kli
12: HrUt8.rj6kull, Orrefaj6kli
13: Fjallsj6kull, Fitjar, Orrefaj6kli
14: Fjallsj6kull, Gamlasel, Orrefaj6kli
Fig. 9. Glacier variations of south flowing outlet glaciers from Vatnajokull (and bnefajiikull) between Skeioanirjiikull and
Brcioamerkmjokull.
.16klabreytillgar, suourh/uti \latnaj6kuls (og Ora:fajdku/1) milli Skeioadnjokuls a11d Breioamerkwjokuls.
J()KULL, No. 45, 1998
13
1971 and since then by various people.
Birnudalsjokull is a small glacier at the head of a
valley facing south-east at the southern margin of Vatnajokull. It is not a part of Vatnajokull since it is only
connected to the main ice cap by firn fields across a
water divide. It was monitored by local farmers.
Eyvindstungnajokull (also called Sultartungnajokull) bifurcates from the outlet glacier Sk<ilafellsjokull. The length along the centre line and the area
are hard to define and are not stated in Table 1. The
glacier was monitored by local farmers.
Skeilafellsjokull has been monitored at two locations by local farmers until 1971 and by various people since 1990. It coalesced with Heinabergsjokull in
the beginning of the measurement period. Sometimes
during the period 1968-1984 the glacier did advance
according to aerial photographs, but this advance is
lost in a gap in the monitoring from 1968 to 1990. The
gap may be filled to some extent with remote sensing
infonnation.
Heinabergsjokull was monitored at two locations
by local farmers until 1967 when a proglacial lake
prohibited further tape measurements. It has been
measured with theodolite by a teacher and students at
a local secondary school since 1990. The glacier is divided by a 11 km long medial moraine. It cunently
calves into a proglaciallake.
Flaajokull is a valley glacier with an expanded
foot lobe which has been monitored at four different
locations since 1930, by local farmers until 1972 and
by various people since 197 5.
The snout of Hoffellsjokull is divided by a small
0
0
0
"¢
0
0
0
C")
0
0
0
C\.1
0
0
0
'---
'--...
'-------·11
0
1930
1940
i:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
1950
1960
Fellsarjokull, F>verartindsegg
Br6karjokull, Vatnajokli
Birnudalsjokull, Vatnajokli
Eyvindstungnajokull, Vatnajokli
Skalafellsjokull, Vatnajokli
Heinabergsjokull, Hafrafell, Vatnajokli
Heinabergsjokull, Geitakinn, Vatnajiikli
1970
1980
1990
8: Flaajokull, vestan H61msar, Vatnajokli
9: Flaajokull, H61msargar6ur, Vatnajokli
i 0: Flaajokull, austur 1, Vatnajokli
i i: Svfnafellsjokull f Horn at., staour 3, Vatnajokli
i 2: Hoffellsjokull, staour 2, Vatnajokli
i 3: Hoffellsdalsjokull, Vatnajokli
Fig. 10. Glacier variations of outlet glaciers in the south-eastern part of Vatnajokull (east of Breioamerkmjokull).
- Joklabreytingar, suourausturhluti Vatnajokuls( austan Breioamerkurjokuls).
14
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
this advance is
1968 to 1990. The
th remote sensing
1t
d at two locations
a proglacial lake
tents. It has been
1er and students at
'·The glacier is di'raine. It currently
with an expanded
d at four different
ers until 1972 and
"""'''';till ridge and the eastern branch terminates in a
t""i'l.u·i:tl lake. It was monitored at three locations in
Iii\ JWII!HI 1930-1979. Since 1980 the terminus has
i '11 lltll'IUaling in approximately the same position,
diltllll)'h il is thinning. It has not been accessible for
,,;, :t•.;m·mcnts since 1979 because of the lake. The
• .,,,., 11 branch, which is named Svfnafellsjokull f
n ,, ll•tfirlli, has been monitored since 1930 by local
1 '"'"''"· In lhe earlier part of the period it was moni''"' d :11 three locations.
1/,,fld/sdalsjokull is a bifurcation from the outlet
Jq, wr I .ambatungnajokull. It was monitored at three
~,,. .tlilliiS for a short period in the 1930s and 1940s.
1111 knglh along the centre line and the area are
(
iivided by a small
therefore hard to define and are not stated in Table 1.
E)jabakkajokull is a surge-type glacier which has
been monitored by sighting from a distance. The advance retreat record is therefore not reliable. The surge
period is about a 35 years, possibly quite irregular as
the glacier is composed of two branches, a valley
glacier from SE and an outlet glacier from the main ice
cap, both of which may be surge-type. The two
branches are separated by a distinct 10 km long medial moraine. The eastem branch is 17 km along the centre line and drains 55 km' with elevations in the range
680-1560 m a.s.l. The westem branch is 16 km along
the centre line and drains 50 km' with elevations in the
range 680-1320 m a.s.l. (B jomsson, 1988).
0
0
0
0
)
',,J
''
10
~-.)
·--------·2
0
0
0
(:),
C)
-J
co
('_)
0
0
0
;11
d'l
i
'"
--------- T\.c:;_
----~
•I)
()
C)
(!)
(Y')
'
ql
'0
·;::ell
•::::>
Ci5
i l
ql
'"
E
"S
.::£
~
(.)
0
0
0
C)
CJ
('J
'<!'
,Q
Q)
ro
()
(f)
l
I
)
i I
0
C::)
0
0
0
C)
N
- - . 11
0
1990
2000
1s8.r, Vatnaj6kli
our, Vatnajokli
atnajokli
at., staour 3, Vatnajokli
~. Vatnajokli
najokli
0
1930
1940
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1950
1960
Skei0ar3rjdkull, vestur, Vatnaj6kli
Skei6ar8rj6kul!, austur I, Vatnaj6kli
Skei6ar8.rj6kul!, austur Ill, Vatnaj6kli
Skei0ar<3.rj6kull, austur IV, Vatnajbkli
Skeibar8.rj6kull, austur V, Vatnaj6kli
Brei6amerkurj6kull, Brei6am.fj., brffifajbkli
Brei0amerkurj6kull, Sk<3.li, Vatnajbkli
1970
1980
1990
2000
8: BrelOamerkurjbkull, NYgrffiOur, Vatnaj6kli
9: BreiOamerkurjOkul!, Stemma, Vatnaj6k!i
10: BreiOamerkurjbkull, Fellsfjall, Vatnajbkli
11: BrUarjbkul!, Vatnajbkli
12: KverkjOku!l, Vatnaj6kli
13: Tungnaarj6kull, Vatnaj6kli
14: SfOujbkuH, staOur 1, Vatnajbkli
terkmjiikull).
ill'· II. Glacier variations of Skeioanitjiikull in Vatnajokull and of outlet glaciers on the n01them and westem sides of Vatnajokull.
Jli/;/o/Jrcytingar, Skeioartujoku/1 og skriojoklar f norour- og vesturhluta Vatnajokuls.
CULL, No. 45, 1998
J()J<.ULL, No. 45, 1998
15
Bru(//joku/1 is a large surge-type outlet glacier
with a surge period of70-1 00 years. It is known to advance 8-10 km during surges (Thorarinsson, 1969),
which are the most dramatic surges of glaciers in Iceland. It has been monitored sporadically since 1963.
K verkjokull is an outlet glacier from the summit
caldera of K verkfjoll which has been monitored since
1971 by the National Energy Authority.
Tungna(njokull is a surge-type outlet glacier
which surged in 1945-46 and in 1994-95 . It is 40 km
along the centre line and drains 169 km 2 (235 km 2
within ice divides) of the ice cap (Bjornsson , 1988). It
has been monitored since 1955 by members of the
Iceland Glaciological Society. Variations of Tung-
naarjokull , including the surge of 1945-46, are described in Guomundsson and Bjomsson (1992).
Sfoujoku/1 is a surge-type outlet glacier with a
surge period of about 30 years. It surged in 1934,
1963-64 and 1994. It has been monitored at two adjacent locations since 1964 by members of the Iceland
Glaciological Society.
HOFSJOKULL
Hofsjokull is circular ice cap in central Iceland
with many outlet glaciers (Fig. 5). The area was estimated 923 km 2 by Bjornsson (1988) based on several
different sources. The ice cap covers a central volcano
with a big caldera. Post glacial volcanic activity with-
0
0
0
(")
E
Cii
~
"§
03
(.)
c:
ro
>
0
0
0
N
16
Q)
>
~
:::J
E o0
:::J
(_)
0
0
1930
1940
1950
1960
1980
1970
1990
1: Blagnipujokull , Hofsjokli
2: Nauthagajokull , Hofsjokli
8 : Jbkulkr6kur, staOur 2 , Langjbkli
9 : NorOurkinn , austur, HrUtfelli ( RegnbUOaj. )
3: MUiajbkull , suOur, H ofsj6kli
10: NorOurkinn , miO, Hrutfelli (RegnbuOaj.)
11: NorOurkinn , vestur, Hrutfelli (RegnbuOaj .)
12: NorOvesturjokull, Hrutfelli (RegnbuOaj.)
13: Lo0mundarj6ku11 , Kerlingarfj611um
4: Satujokull , Hofsjokli
5 : Hagafellsjbkull vestari , staOur 2 , Langj6kli
6 : Hagafellsjokull eystri , Langjokli
7: Jokulkr6kur, staOur 1, Langjokli
2000
Fig. 12. Glacier variations of Hofsjokull, Langjokull , H.n:itfellsjokull and Loomundarjokull.
-Jok/abreyting(// ; Hofsjoku/1, Langjoku/1, Hnirfe//sjoku/1 and Loomundwjoku/1.
16
JOKULL, No. 45 , 1998
t' 1945-46, are delsson (1992).
tlet glacier with a
It surged in 1934,
1itored at two adjabers of the Iceland
in central Iceland
. The area was esti8) based on several
:rs a central volcano
lcanic activity with-
·:..:·~--/=>~§
1lw
<IIITCJJt
margins of the ice cap has been identi-
been carried out by members of the Iceland Glaciological Society.
Satuj6kull is a broad outlet glacier on the northern
side of Hofsjokull which has been monitored at two locations, at Lambahraun until 1982 and at Eyfiroingah6lar since 1983. The monitoring was initially canied
out by local farmers. Since 1981 it has been done by
members of the Iceland Glaciological Society. The
records from the two locations are combined in Figure
12 since they do not overlap in time.
IIi<· stJmmit elevation is 1800 m a.s.l.
<1
/il,tl;lllf)/(iiikull is an outlet glacier facing south1 l'lit· glacier bifurcates around the mountain
i\L""''Jla. The eastern branch was monitored for a
'''"' pniod in the 1930s by J6n Eyp6rsson.
/V,!IItllllgai6kull is a bifurcation from the western
ul, ul Mtilajokull. Small surges have been observed.
111 ilw lwginning, local farmers did the surveying, but
'"'" I <J(J9, the measurements have been carried out
L: III<'Jllhcrs of the Iceland Glaciological Society.
;1/lllllir!ku!! is a surge-type outlet glacier on the
<~llllwm side of Hofsjokull. Surges have been record. rl with a 6-7 year interval for the last few decades.
i lw v on! y seem to affect the ablation area. The
,. L11 wr is monitored at two different locations, one at
1111· wt·stcrn side and another one on the eastern side
'" IIi<· lobe. In the beginning, local farmers did the
111 v<·ying, but since 1969, the measurements have
LANGJOKULL
Langjokull is an oblong ice cap oriented SW-NE
in central westem Iceland with many outlet glaciers
(Fig. 5). It had an area of 953 km' in 1973 (Bjornsson,
1978). The maximum elevation is about 1450 m a.s.l.
The area is volcanically active although no postglacial
volcanic activity within the glacier has been pinpointed. Three of the outlet glaciers have been monitored
0
0
~4
co
;,;
.
1: Gljufurarjiikull, Triillaskaga
2: Halsjiikull, Triillaskaga
3: Tungnahryggsjiikull, Triillaskaga
4: Barkardalsjiikull, Triillaskaga
0
0
<D
<)I
0
0
2·-..... .
-;:t
,_-
··················-........ -·2
3 ........
/
/
/'
--4
/
J
I )
'1990
0
0
C\.1
''
2000
ngjbkli
'elli (Regnbuoaj.)
·IIi (Regnbuoaj.)
tfelli (Regnbuoaj.)
,u; (Regnbuoaj.)
1garfj6llum
)KULL, No. 45, 1998
''
4/
/
' '3
0
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
hg.. 13. Glacier variations in Tri:illaskagi and neighbouring areas, northern Iceland .
.!dklabreytingm; skriojdklar Trdl/askaga og Norourlandi.
a
J<)KULL, No. 45, 1998
17
HRUTFELLSJOKULL (REGNBUDAJOKULL)
since 1933 or 1934, by lay people in the beginning
and by professional surveyors since the 1960s.
Hagafel/sjokul/ vestari surged in 1972 and 1980
but previous surges are not recorded (Theod6rsson,
1980). It has been monitored at two locations.
Hagafellsjokull eystri surged in 1976 and 1980 but
previous surges are not recorded (Theod6rsson, 1980).
Jokulkr6kur (Fiilakvfsl, Pj6fadalir) is located on
the eastern margin of Langjokull. Until 1972 the
glacier margin was monitored at a location north of
the valley l>j6fadalir at the outlet of the river Fulakvfsl,
but after that the monitoring has been carried out at a
location south of the valley. There are no recorded
surges in this part of the margin of Langjokull.
The approximate location of the tetmini of Hagafellsjokull vestari and Hagafellsjokull eystri around
1890 has been infened by Sigbjarnarson (1967).
Hrutfellsjokull is a 7 km 2 ice cap in central Iceland
with several outlet glaciers (Fig. 5). The summit of
the ice cap is 1400 m a.s.l. Three of the outlet glaciers
run parallel to each other towards NE and one faces
N. They were monitored by J6n Eyj:J6rsson from 1933
to 1959.
LODMUNDARJOKULL (KERLINGARFJOLL)
Loomundmjokull is a small glacier in central Iceland (Fig. 5) which was monitored by J6n Eyj:J6rsson
from 1932 to 1962.
GLJUFURARJOKULL
GljUfunitjokull is a valley glacier in central northern Iceland (Fig. 6). A bench mark was established in
1939 but the marks are very vulnerable in the area be-
Table 2. Glacier variations in Iceland 1930-1995. Records marked with a superscripted star are shown in Figures
13. Glacier variations of several glaciers in Iceland prior to 1930 derived from historical accounts or other·
sources are given in the second column. Superscripted numbers in the second column refer to footnotes w
additional information at the end of the table. The last column gives the total variation during the longest unbrok
period of observations within the monitoring period for each measurement location.
Jukull
l. DRA;-:GAJbKULL
II . SN..EFE LLSJOK ULL
I. Hymtng.•jOkull. i tal:lur t •
------.sta0ur2
~ JS
2 JOkulhaL••
~ RO
4.
Bl :1,~;ilsj0kull .sul.Our
I
· 100
·50
· 30
~ 60
~•o
100
.:~5
· 105
.,
-52
~33
-28
-22
~··
~
19
· 20
~65
~ JO
~38
-23
~ JO
. J8
~
--- ---.st:t0ur2 •
-. sta0ur3
Ill . EYJAFJALLAJOKULL
2 . Se\ja,·allaj6\::ull. s ta0ur I*
···-···. sta0ur2 •
I V . /'.1-;' RDALSH)K U LL
I. S61heullaJOkull.ves turtun&a*
--- .. --- .JOkulhaus •
3. Oh.lu(cllsjtikull*
18
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
km long centre line and an elevation in the range 8001340 m a.s.l. It has not been monitored.
'" ,. ol Janel slides and avalanches. Local farmers
", '.IIJvcyecl the snout for most of the time but in the
1 ll• 1'1/0s and 1980s visiting students from Exeter,
I "'•l;~11d, did the measurements.
DAJOKULL)
tp in central Iceland
5). The summit of
>f the outlet glaciers
; NE and one faces
yp6rsson from 1933
BARKARDALSJOKULL
IGARFJOLL)
ll:dsjiikull is a small glacier in central northern
1:11111 (Fig. 6). Surveying has been done by teachers
n ,, J.,,·;tl secondary school.
Barkiirclalsji:ikull is a cirque glacier in central
northem Iceland (Fig. 6) which is monitored by the
Swiss geographer Thomas Haberle. The approximate
location of the tenninus around 1900 has been infened
from the position of moraines in front of the terminus.
acier in central Iced by J6n Eyp6rsson
! I 'Nl ;NAIIRYGGSJOKULL
B!EGISARJOKULL
:ier in central northk was established in
:rable in the area be-
illllgl>ahryggsji:ikull consists of two separate
. '''lilt' )•.laciers in central northern Iceland (Fig. 6).
! II· l':lslnn glacier is 4 km' with a 2.5 km long centre
!11!< :111d an elevation in the range 700-1340 m a.s.l. It
.; . lllllllilored for a short period around the miclclle of
ih· ll'llllll'y. The westem glacier is 5 km' with a 2.5
Bcegisarji:ikull is a cirque glacier in central northem Iceland (Fig. 6). Surveying was started in 1939,
but the glacier has only been measured a few times
until recently. In recent years the monitoring has been
canied out by a teacher and students at a local secondary school.
n \ IS.HHWLL
I·.
r are shown in Figures ·,
Kcounts or other indin·1
1 refer to footnotes wil
·ing the longest unbrokl'
"-.)
-10
j) I)}
52,/53 5.'/5-t' 5-l/55 55/56 561:)7
-68
-110
-30
t,•/./,11 hrl'vtingar a /standi 1930-1995. Mceliraoir sem merktar eru meo st)ornu eru syndar a 7.-13. mynd. Breytingar
j/ikla fyrir 1930, sem metnar hafa verio rit fra sogulegum gognum eoa oorum 6beinum heimildum, eru
f toflunni. Tolur [ oorum dalki toflunnar vfsa tilneoanmalsgreina meo viob6tarupplysingum a na:stu
1,,,111. smusti dalkur tof/unnar synir heildarbreytingu a stoou sporosins a lengsta 6slitna tfmabili sloan mcelingar
: •• tli\1 11 ,.i,)komandi stao.
·' '·!IIIII
<'~nrl11rjinnst
5/r~~
-63
11>
-30
-40
-26
-::~28
...1()
.]
~12
12
-25
~
-30
--.0
-27 ' -20
16
-52
-4~
-29
37
30
10
·IS
--17
1..\&7 31-95
10
31-41
10
0
-6
...:;
-9
,2
+J..J-
+l 1
+2S
+7
+22
+9
-'-.:1
----------------------------
-..\8'
·24' ·12
lSI
-25
J..J- . ..J-9
20
93-015
.,.)J
~J:'i
0
-5:-2
-------------------------
-9
' +3
-7
-IS
-37
-10
-20
-20
+3
-30
>KULL, No. 45, 1998
-25
-22
+4
-S
+7
-9
+35
+30
+8
20
-50
li
ll\ !ILL, No. 45, 1998
19
Table 2. co ntinued
20
JOKULL, No. 45, 1998
10
120
-.f-l
II
~!3
+12
15
+6
+~7
15
-30
-1
1::9
-10
.JO
.n
+-'
-2.1
-19
-43
32-95
-W-95
-5.1
4'-C>O
+31
.'ti-59
16.3
5ll(l-l
117
32->;1
-12
+12
-55
-X•
12
+-+5
-33
-27
+S
10
+-l
+.>o
-50
+26
+9
15
+.'i
-,-2()
--15
19
+3
-5
-2.'1
+l
~J2
+6
13
+20
](\
+12
-'-:::\
+16
+3
+iO
-S.'iO
-614
-530
-27
-6
-52
~0-95
75
10
-64
-S
+12
'~-95
-~07
-21
-'-35
·--
-11
15
-20~0
-5
-4
+IS
+5
-~
+12
+3
70
15
-60
+10
~35
------------
-Ill
+1~
-----------
+21
+29
+17
JLl
+15
+5
+ 10
153
32-53
-.157
32-95
-U
--------
-2~0
+2S
-15
15
-8
28
-25
-5
-U
-,-39
-95
~5
+!0
'II
•.'0
;.!l)
+12
-10
-31
.II)
-'-23
+5
-31
+25
-22
-6
+3
+11
+26
{\
--.-](1
0
+5
-55
-39
-67
-22
15
--.-10
-1-7-95
---\55
-57
3-'i-95
·133
51-9~
5l\-95
-24
}.1
-20
+14
-26
-S3
70
-38
-81
-35
-42
-42
-46
-2<>
-36
+53
lOS
-lOS
-3'
-22
16
--.-S
+52
-8
.])
+33
+37
15
-2
-5
-25
·50
-o
-:o-l
-09
-42
-69
-30
+30
-10
-50
+31
--.-6)
-25
+142
65-93
-18
·-1-06
-35
-25
32
-10
J.'i-9-1
35-6()
-30'
-17:
50-93
705
-50
--B
-21
-
-15
-50
-5
7J
-8
-35
15
35-66
-30
-11)
-10
15
+91
55
146
"'
-'-]69
·1061
30-9~
-663
J.l.'J?_
1:'63 --\1-95
-55
----------.....>!
-20
-45
-20
-25
-3)
100
-15
35
-90
-22
+22
-SO
-20
+25
+12
15
15
+25
-'-75
-95
·15
.. ,,
-5
-5
-20
+I<
-10
·-'5
-DO
-103
-25
.]0
+30
-70
70
·<><-'
30-S-1
·60(>
45-9-f
-!0
+9
-42
+55
-70
-0
-30
·9!0
~.i-82
-1351
30-5:\
10!3 4S-6--\
150
·II'
-30
-57
15
-42
-67
·8
·26~3
35-6-1-
-5
](I
u
+23
-20
35-fi--\
+10
-550
;:\(}00
-Sti
-50 :' -200
<.ULL, No. 45, 1998
+600
-25
+600
-25
-77
-190
-33S
+12
-55
74
-192
l!..J
-202
-77
H)l<lJLL, No. 45, 1998
-31
-1S
-93
-81
-<)5
57
-90
53
33
---------
-5--\
-1~6
63-93
-9
-ti-l
-23
.Y!
+1!60
-4
--------
21
The variation of Leimfjaroarjokull between 1840 and 193 1 is given
in Eyp6rsson ( 1935). It was -1100 m between 1840 and 1886,
-220m from 1886 to 1898, - 1300 m from 1898 to 1913 and -630 m
from 19 13 to 193 1.
2 The variation of Kaldal6nsjokull between 1887 and 1931 is given in
Eyp6rsson (1935).
GRIMSLANDSJOKULL
Grfmslandsji:ikull is a cirque glacier in central
northern Iceland (Fig. 6). Surveying was started in
1993 by a teacher at a local secondary school.
GLACIER VARIATIONS
The measured variations of the glaciers in the data
set are tabulated in Table 2 and selected records are
shown in Figures 7- 13. Each measurement location is
tabulated separately in cases when two or more locations on the same glacier tongue were monitored simultaneously. The table thus gives the original mea-
22
3 The variation of Reykjafjaroarj okull between 1850 and 1931 is
given in Eyp6rsson (1935). It was - 1500 between 1850 and 191 4,
-650 m from 1914 to 1929 and -250 m from 1929 to 193 1.
4 The retreat of Hagafellsjokull eystri between 1890 and 1934 is given
in Sigbjarnarson (1967). It was- 115m bet ween 1890 ancll902 and
-635 m from 1902 to 1929 and -600 m from 1929 to 1934.
surements without averaging or interpretation .
Table 1 gives the measurement period and some
characteristics of each glacier and fi gures 2-6 show
location maps of the glaciers . Most measurement sites
are marked on the maps, except for sites which are
very close to each other and which are observed mainly in order to obtain more representative values for the
average variations over some part of a terminus .
Figures 7-13 show that most of the non-surging
glaciers retreated strongly during the early half of the
observation period from 1930 to 1995 , follo wed by a
read vance or a slowing of the retreat after about 1970.
The records of surge-type glaciers, which are marked
with a superscripted 1 in Table 1, are dominated by
JOKULL, No. 45 , 1998
'<,\/I,J.(>-1/65 65/66 66/07 (\i/68 68169 Oll/70 70!71 71ii2
1:.
-9:-6
-~---
+6~
+3
+5
.2S
·l>
-29
+71
-6
-6
.,.::;
+}
+60
.,-l\
----0
-8)
!}
.,-]
-1
+I
l--1
1~
0
+I
+::'57! +1-l
-60
-'-26
107
1~0
79
·10
+71
-IS
.,-~63
-26
-----
-'-1
+II
+6
+J-l
-.26
-21
~3
-16
+.'l1X
.,-]
+_::.
-9
-2
58-l
32-9)
+2-l
+..\9
--1-
-8
188
:.7-9)
+-19
+153
-15
-52
-501
32-lJ5
--117
)0-82
-~
--12
-22
15
-IU
.'i2
-26
--15
-16
- - -
~----
-5-l
(J
+5
-----
+I
+17
-f.'
--12
-91
----
-2(15
30
-8
-270
169
50
·168
107
3-75
-500
0
175
+iOS
-59
--tl
77
.,-718
!26
77
JD
-50
lH
~1.139
-3-1
-29
.,-900
-60
"l-1-90
-216
16
+650
1231 3-l-93
105
-15
--l6
-..\5
-I-ll)
1570 }-1-9:.
- - - - - - -
-80
-5-l
-Ui
-69
-995
-)0
16
--l2
72-91
311
.'U--18
:cs
33-59
3X2
'J-59
~--------
--l5
I -21
~3-59
131
-68
' -25
-~3
-6
-30
-21
+5
-11
16
+::'5
-5
~1.>
.,-23
-5
+15
32-62
-263
39-95
36
!2-92
182
}'l-58
-J2
93-9..\
- - -
.,._:;
---~-~----
107
+125
18
-32
.'een 1850 and 1931 is
•etween 1850 and 1914,
1 1929 to 1931.
1 1890 and 1934 is given
. een 1890 and 1902 and
1 1929 to 1934.
1lw ;;urge events. The glacier variation records are fur-
discussed and related to the climate of Iceland
dttlilll~ the observation period by J6hannesson and
·,,!'lll'i'lsson (this volume).
IIH·r
~rpretation.
period and some
figures 2-6 show
measurement sites
x sites which are
Lre observed mainttive values for the
,fa terminus.
1f the non-surging
1e early half of the
)95, followed by a
t after about 1970.
which are marked
are dominated by
Tlwnks are due to the numerous observers who
l1:1 Vl' carried out the glacier monitoring of the IceI.IIHiic Glaciological Society over a period of 65
\T:trs. Without their work and interest in the behavior
• d ,l',lacicrs, this data set of glacier variations in Icel:tiHI would not exist. Sklili Vikingsson made the local I! 111 maps and Tomas J 6hannesson edited the table of
J>i:H·ier variations and made the graphs. He also sugJ••·stcd many improvements in the manuscript.
JLL, No. 45, 1998
it)l\ l ILL, No. 45, 1998
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
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Beitriige zur Kenntnis der Gletscherbewegungen und
Schwankungen auf Grund alter Quellenschnften und
neuester Forschung. Reykjavik, Visindafelag fslendinga (Societas Scientarum Islandica) XVIII.
Bjomsson, F. 1998. Samtiningur urn jokla milli
Fells og Staoarfjalls. Jokull, 46, 49-61.
Bjomsson, H. 1978. The surface area of glaciers
in Iceland. Jokull, 28, p. 31.
Bjomsson, H. 1979. Glaciers in Iceland. Jokull,
29, 74-80.
Bjomsson, H. 1988. Hydrology oflce Caps in Volcanic Regions. Reykjavik, Vlsindafelag fslendinga,
139 pp.
Bjornsson, H. 1996. Scales and rates of glacial
sediment removal: a 20 km long, 300 m deep trench
23
created beneath Breioamerkurjokull du ring the Little
Ice Age. Annals of Glaciology, 22 , 14 1- 146.
Bjom sson, H. and F. Palsson. 1991. Vatnajoku ll ,
northeastern part. Reykjavik:, Nati onal Power Company and the Science Institute.
Bjomsson, H. , F. Palsson and M . T. Guomundsson. 1992 . BreioamerkLnjoku l/ , niourstoour fssjar mce /i nga I 99 I . Reykjavik, Raunvisindas tofnun Hask6lans, RH-92-1 2, 19 pp.
Bjornss on , H. and F. Palsson . 1994. M yrd alsjok ull : Yfirboro, botn og rennslisleioir jokulhlaupa
via gos undir joklinum . In M . T. Guomundsson, ed.
Kotlustefn a . Raostefna Jarofr ceoajelags i slands f
Borgartuni 6, 26. f ebruar I994 . p. 3.
Eirfksso n , H. H . 1932. Observations and some
measurements of some glaciers in Austur-Skaftafe llssysla in the summ er I 930 . Reykj avik:, Vfsindafelag
fslendinga XII, 24 pp.
Eyj:J6rsson, J. 193 1. On the present position of the
glaciers in Iceland. Som e preliminary studies and investigations in the summer I 930 . Reykj avik:, Visindafelag fslendinga X , 35 pp.
Eyj:l6rsson, J. 1935 . On the variations of glaciers
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Eyj:l6rsson, J. 1942. Breytingar islenzkra jokla a
tim abilinu 193 0-1 94 1 (i metrum). Natturufrceoing urinn, 12, 125 -1 28.
Eyj:l6rsson , J . 1963. Variati ons of Icelandic
glaciers 193 1-1960. Joku/l, 13, 3 1-33.
Eyj:J6rsson , J. /Rist, S. /S igurosson, 0. , 1951-95.
Joklabreytingar. Jokull, vols. 1-45. (Yearly reports of
glac ier variations. Written by J6n Eyj:l6rsson in the
peri od 195 1- 1966, by Sigurj 6n Ri st in the period
1967-1986 and by Oddur Sigurosson in the peri od
1987-1995).
Guomundsson , M. T. and H. Bjornsson. 1992 .
Tun gna61jokull. I. Framhlaup io I 945 -I 946. Reykjavik, Raunvisindastofnun Hask6lans, RH -92-1 7, 27 pp.
J6hannesson, T. and Sigurosson, 0 ., 1998. Interpretation of glacier variation in Iceland 1930-1 995.
Jokul/, 45 , 27 -33
N¢rlund, N. E . 1944./slands Kortlcegning. En histu risk fremsti/li ng. K¢benhavn, Ejnar Munksgaard .
110 pp.
Palsson, S. 1945. Joklaritio. Feroab6k Sveins Pals-
24
sonar. Dagbcekur og ritgeroir I791 -I 797. Reykj avik,
Smelandsutgafan, 423 -552.
Pennanent Service on the Fluctuationsof Glaciers
of the IUGG-FAGS/ICSU. 1973. Fluctuations of
Glaciers 1965- 1970 . A contribu tion to the Intern ational Hydrological Decade. IAHS(ICSI)-UNES CO.
Pennanent Service on the Fluctuations of Glac iers
of the IUGG-FAGS/ICSU 1977. Fluctuations of
Glaciers 1970-1975 (Vol. III). A contribution to the
Internati onal Hydrol ogical Programme (IHP).
IAHS (ICSI)-UNESCO.
Permanent Serv ice on the Fluctuations of Glaciers
of the IUGG-FAGS/ICSU 19 85. Flu ctu ation s of
Glaciers 1975 -19 80 (Vol. IV). A contribution to the
Internati onal Hydrological Programme. IAHS(ICS I)UNES CO.
Sigbj arnarsson , G. 1967. The changing level of
Hagavatn and glacial recession in this century. Jokul/,
17, 263-279.
Sigbj arnarsson , G . 198 1. Lambahraun sjoklar i
noroanveroum Hofsjokli. J okulI, 3 1, 59-63 .
Theod6rsson, T. 1980. Hagafellsjoklar taka a ras.
Jokull , 30,75 -77 .
Thienemann , F.A.L. 1824. Reise im Norden Europ as , vorzug /ich in Island in den Jahren 1820 b is
1824. Leipzig, Carl Heinrich Reclam.
Thorarinsson, S. 194 1. Mot eld och is. Ymer, 4,
264-300.
Thorarinsson, S. 1943. Vatnajokull. Scientific results of the Swedish-Icelandic investigations 193 637-38 . Oscillations of the Icelandic glaciers in the last
250 years. Geografiska Annaler , 25 (1-2) , 1-54.
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25

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