What happened in the 1996 jökulhlaup?

In November 1996, a volcanic eruption under Vatnajökull melted massive amounts of ice, releasing a catastrophic glacial flood (jökulhlaup) through Skeiðarárjökull. The flood destroyed the Skeiðará bridge and carried 3 billion tons of water, ice, and sediment across the outwash plain.

What is the bridge memorial at Skeiðarársandur?

Twisted girders from the destroyed 1996 Skeiðará bridge are preserved as a memorial at the roadside. They show the force of glacial floods and are a common stop along Route 1.

What is Skeiðarársandur?

Skeiðarársandur is the vast outwash plain south of Skeiðarárjökull, one of the largest glacial outwash plains in the world. It is a barren landscape of black volcanic sand shaped by centuries of glacial floods.

Is Skeiðarárjökull really the largest outlet glacier?

Yes, Skeiðarárjökull is the largest outlet glacier of Vatnajökull, with one of the broadest glacier fronts in Iceland. It flows south from the ice cap onto the Skeiðarársandur plain.

Can you visit Skeiðarárjökull?

You can view Skeiðarárjökull from Route 1 as you cross the Skeiðarársandur plain. The bridge memorial is a stop along the road. No commercial glacier hiking tours operate on this glacier due to its size and jökulhlaup risk.

Skeiðarárjökull: Vatnajökull's Largest Outlet

Vatnajökull's largest outlet glacier, known for the catastrophic 1996 jökulhlaup that destroyed a bridge and reshaped the Skeiðarársandur outwash plain.

Last reviewed March 3, 2026By the Iceland.org travel deskEditorial policy

Region

Southeast Iceland

On Route 1 between Vík and Skaftafell.

Skeiðarárjökull is Vatnajökull's largest outlet, spreading across a broad front onto Skeiðarársandur, one of the world's largest glacial outwash plains. In 1996, a volcanic eruption beneath the ice cap triggered a jökulhlaup that released 3 billion tons of water and destroyed the Skeiðará bridge. The bridge's twisted girders still stand beside Route 1.

Sources and last reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03

Skeiðarársandur is subject to glacial flood risk. Follow any road closures immediately. The outwash plain can also experience severe sandstorms that damage vehicles; check conditions.

Pages are reviewed for practical usefulness, source quality, and volatile claims before publication.

Official sources to check

Best for

Glacial flood history

See the 1996 bridge memorial and outwash plain.

Access

Route 1 drive-through

You cross Skeiðarársandur on the Ring Road.

Pro tip

Stop at the bridge memorial

Twisted girders tell the story of the 1996 flood.

What to Expect

A vast black outwash plain stretching to the horizon
Twisted bridge girders from the 1996 flood memorial
The massive glacier front visible to the north
One of the world's largest glacial outwash plains
Potential for sandstorms on windy days across the barren plain
A landscape shaped by repeated glacial floods

Nearby Attractions

Skaftafell visitor center and hiking trails (east)
Svartifoss basalt column waterfall in Skaftafell
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon and Diamond Beach (further east)
Svínafellsjökull glacier hiking tours from Skaftafell
Kirkjubæjarklaustur village and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon (west)
Ingólfshöfði headland with puffin colony tours in summer

How to Get There

Route 1 crosses Skeiðarársandur between Vík and Skaftafell
About 300 km from Reykjavik (4-hour drive)
Bridge memorial pull-off is well-signed along Route 1
Regular car fine; it's on the main Ring Road
Watch for sandstorms on the outwash plain in windy weather

Best Time to Visit

Year-round; Route 1 is maintained all seasons
Summer for clearest views of the glacier front
Avoid driving in sandstorm warnings (can damage paint)
A quick stop on any south coast driving tour
Combine with Skaftafell for a full day

Planning help

Skeidararjokull (Skeiðarárjökull) Glacier FAQs

Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.

All glaciers