Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈjœːkʏlsˌaurˌlouːn] ⓘ; literally "glacial river lagoon") is a large glacial lake in southern part of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland. Situated at the head of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier, it developed into a lake after the glacier started receding from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The lake has grown since then at varying rates because of melting of the glaciers. The glacial front is now about 8 km (5.0 mi) away from the ocean's edge and the lake covers an area of about 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi). In 2009 it was reported to be the deepest lake in Iceland, at over 284 m (932 ft), as glacial retreat extended its boundaries. The size of the lake has increased fourfold since the 1970s.
| Jökulsárlón | |
|---|---|
Jökulsárlón | |
| Coordinates | 64°04′13″N 16°12′42″W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Primary inflows | Breiðamerkurjökull glacier |
| Primary outflows | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries | Iceland |
| Max. length | 8 km (5.0 mi) |
| Surface area | 18 km2 (6.9 sq mi) |
| Average depth | ca. 153 m (502 ft) |
| Max. depth | 284 metres (932 ft) |
| Water volume | 2,500–3,000 hm3/s (0.60–0.72 cu mi/s) |
| Surface elevation | 0 m (0 ft), sea level |
The lake can be seen from Route 1 between Höfn and Skaftafell. It appears as "a ghostly procession of luminous blue icebergs".
Jökulsárlón has been a setting for four Hollywood movies: A View to a Kill, Die Another Day, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, and Batman Begins, as well as the reality TV series The Amazing Race. In 1991, Iceland issued a postage stamp, with a face value of 26 kronur, depicting Jökulsárlón.
The tongue of the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is a major attraction for tourists.