Thverarjokull Glacier: Size, Ice Caves, Cap and Volcanoes

Thverarjokull Glacier is a glacier classified as a cirque type of mountain glacier. The glacier is situated in the region of Norðurland Eystra in Iceland. It is located southeast of Jökulhnjúkur and to the north of Vesturárdalsfjall. Thverarjokull Glacier coordinates are 65°46’0” N and 18°46’0” W. Its elevation is 896 meters above sea level. 

Thverarjokull is a mountain glacier connected by firn at the head of þverardalur in Skiðadalur which is situated in Northern Iceland. The glacier is also called Tverarjokull or þverárjökull. It is also known as Pverárdalsjökull. Thverarjokull Glacier covers the parts of Northern Iceland that are separated into two parts, the þverárjökull eystri, and the þverárjökull vestri. 

The mountains near Thverarjokull are Vesturárdalsfjall and Stafnstungnafjall. Each are approximately 2.1 km and 3.9 km away. Thverarjokull glacier is near the glaciers of Skiðadalsjökull, Gljúfurárjökull, and Tungnahryggsjökull. It is near the valleys of Kongsstaðadalur and Þverárdalur. The cities around Thverarjokull glacier are Arnarnes, Dalvíkurbyggð, Svalbarðsströnd, Akureyri, Ólafsförður, Grýtubakki, Eyjafjarðarsveit, Skagafjörður, Sauðárkrókur and Fjallabyggð. 

Thverarjokull is located towards the north of Iceland in the upper part of þverárdalurnear, the mountain peaks of Auðnasỳling, facing south. The Thverarjokull glacier is close to the upper part of Bakkadalur, þverárdalur in the valley of Svafaðardalur. The distance from Reykjavik to Thverarjokull is 234 km via Skagsfjorður in Iceland. 

What is the Size of Thverarjokull Glacier?

Thverarjokull Glacier has a terrain elevation of 896 meters above sea level. The glacier’s coordinates are 65°46’0” N and 18°46’0” W. Photos from the glacier were last taken on 6 September, in the year 2000. It has no definite information regarding its terrain size since the glacier is moving and melting. The terrain’s margin coverage cannot be defined because of its remoteness in the northern part of Iceland. 

What are the Volcanoes in Thverarjokull Glacier?

Bárðarbunga is a stratovolcano that is stretched out near the Thverarjokull Glacier. The Bárðarbunga volcano is located in Vatnajökull National Park. Its fissure eruption started on 29 August, 2014, about 45 km NE of the subglacial caldera. It has a volcanic lake region called Veiðivötn that fills 50 lakes with two rows of fissure vents. 

What is the prominence of Thverarjokull Glacier in Icelandic Culture?

The prominence of Thverarjokull Glacier in Icelandic culture is its role in forming the way of life of the people in Iceland. The glaciers constitute a huge part of Iceland’s culture. Icelandic culture is rooted in the goings about of the ancient Vikings as its ancestors in most parts of Iceland. Its house structure, art, daily living, beliefs, and language are part of Iceland’s culture influenced by the ancient Vikings. Today, Iceland remains rooted in the culture that they protect and preserve. 

What are the Similar Glaciers in Iceland to Thverarjokull Glacier?

Similar glaciers in Iceland to Thverarjokull Glacier are listed below: 

  • Svínafellsjökull: Svínafellsjökull is an outlet glacier of the Vatnajökull, the largest ice cap located in Iceland. Its altitude is 2,000 meters high. Svínafellsjökull glacier is an outlet glacier, while Thverarjokull is a cirque type of mountain glacier. Svínafellsjökull glacier is bigger compared to the Thverarjokull glacier. 
  • Teigarjökull: It is a surge-type glacier in the Tröllaskagi peninsula. The last known surge of the Teigarjökull glacier was in 1971. It was 1,200 meters long but increased by 1,100 to 1,500 meters during its surge. Glaciers in Iceland can be a surge or non-sure type of glacier. 
  • Búrfellsjökull: Búrfellsjökull is a surge-type glacier in the Tröllaskagi peninsula. The glacier’s last known surge occurred in 1912. It is located close to Tjarnhólahnjúkur Ytri and Tjarnhólahnjúkur Syðri. 
  • Bægisárjökull: Bægisárjökull is a surge-type glacier that has an elevation of 1,208 meters. It is located south of Tröllafjall and in the southeast of Lambárdalur.
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