Friday, January 15, 2016

Iceland: trekking on the Sólheimajökull glacier

The Sólheimajökull glacier is a small glacier that has its source in the large icecaps in the Icelandic highlands.


Sólheimajökull
People climbing Sólheimajökull

The glacier is easily accessible from Reykjavik and so has been extensively studied for effects of climate change. The melting rate of Sólheimajökull has been measured at a frightening 40m per year. Each year there has been significantly more extensive melting as the glacier continues to recede.


A crevasse caused by melting
Another crevasse
Ice cave

Our guide continued to point out the previous extent of the glacier which starkly put into perspective the impact that climate change is having on the world.

He finished by saying that for the first time ever that it would be unlikely that the tour could be held in the next summer due to the continued melting of this beautiful environment.

It is clear: climate change is happening, it is affecting the icecaps and it is irresponsible for governments to continue to ignore the facts for partisan politics.


Sólheimajökull outflow

This was the last stop in Iceland - next stop: Munich


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