The purpose of this website is to disseminate information on natural hazards in Iceland related to glaciers.
The site is maintained by the Geophysics Division of the Science Institute.
 

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Welcome to the Icelandic GLACIORISK website!

On this website you will find information about
RISKS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH GLACIERS IN ICELAND.
Of particular importance in Iceland are the so-called "jökulhlaups" (glacier floods),
which can be dangerous, threatening fertile land and destroying roads, bridges
and powerlines. Luckily only a few of the areas affected by such floods are inhabited.

  
 

 

 Our goal here is to summarize events that have already occurred, to allow you to find risks at individual glaciers and to give you an idea of what to expect in the near future.

Choose a subject from the bar above or simply click on one of the glaciers in the figure.

Major ice caps in Iceland

Due to the country´s location on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, there are several geothermal areas beneath glaciers and occasionally volcanic eruptions occur.
The meltwater from such areas may drain in tremendous jökulhlaups.


 



_____________________
 Alexandra Mahlmann, November 2002