Europe's largest glacier

• The largest glacier in Europe

Vatnaokyudl - the largest glacier in Europe and the third largest in the world after Antarctica and Greenland glaciers. Its surface area is 8300 sq. km, which is about 8% Iceland area. The average thickness of ice - 500 meters, and in some places it is more than 1 kilometer.

Black Falls, ice caves and much more in today's article.

The glacier is so huge that each of the many languages ​​it has its own name and is considered a separate glacier. (Photo Skarpheoinn Prainsson):

Unlike their counterparts, which have arisen due to the tightly packed snow accumulations, Vatnaokyudlya history is rooted in the Ice Age. (Photo Skarpheoinn Prainsson):

The word "Vatnaokyudl" means "glacier giving water" - so many rivers and lakes in Iceland emerged from this ice giant. Near Glacier Vatnaokyudl it seems endless field of white snow, and its summit offers a beautiful view of the ocean and the mountains in the hinterland.

Under the glaciers has several live volcanoes. The huge accumulation of magma volcano Grimsvotn was under a layer of the glacier, began erupting in 2004. (Photo by Olafur Sigurjonsson | Reuters):

When the lava yield a significant part of the glacier melts, from which it is gradually reduced. After thawing open pastures new. (Photo by STR | AFP | Getty Images):

Nearby vicinity of Vatnajökull equally tempting - Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon with its flotilla of icebergs and Dettifoss - the most powerful waterfall in Europe.

Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. (Photo by Filippo Bianchi):

Glacier Vatnaokyudl very popular with filmmakers. So, some of the scenes in the movie Lara Croft - Tomb Raider "were filmed on the glacier and the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón, in the same survey carried out for the James Bond film" Die Another Day ":

Vatnajökull glacier on the border of the national park Skaftafell (Sfcaftafell). Its territory is Svartifoss - black or dark waterfall drop. (Photo by Diana Michaels):

The waterfall is surrounded by unusual hexagonal columns of black lava, which gave rise to its name. These columns have been created inside a molten stream that is cooled very slowly, which led to its crystallization.

In the southern part of the glacier Vatnaokyudl are striking in its beauty ice caves.

They were formed thousands of years in the glacier melt water body, which grinds amazing passages and tunnels. (Photo Orvar Atli Porgeirsson):

Ice and icebergs ice old perennial ice due to the small number of air bubbles has a distinct blue color and increased strength. (Photo Nanut Bovorn):

Meltwater rinsed topsheet ice, and then ice cave inside start to shine like polished gems. (Photo Nanut Bovorn):

In addition to bright blue in the icy caves and other dark colors. This sedimentary rocks that are at the bottom of the glacier.

Iceland - it's just a different world, this is not Europe. Iceland has very little in common with all five inhabited continents, and does not belong to any of them. This is a huge desert reserve, as if specially created for the filming of blockbuster fiction and films about the wonders of the world. There difficult to get, but when all the obstacles overcome by feelings and types breathtaking.