Hour-long boat trips from Heimaey Harbor offer another perspective on the new land formations that came from the eruption. Vatnajokool Glacial melt While Heimaey has had two decades to recover from its meltdown, back on the mainland, the Vatnajokool Glacier has had just 16 months. In September 1996, a volcano underneath the glacier woke up in a fit. The explosion melted huge glacial swaths, triggering floods that scattered 1,000-ton ice blocks like peanuts. The torrent left behind a flood plain, still littered with unmelted ice.
Scientists come here to track the receding glacier and the ice blocks.
Gudmundsson said studying the glaciers is important to see just how stable the large ice sheets are. Iceland's glacial and volcanic landscapes will always tempt scientific curiosity. For everyone else, it's enough to enjoy the view near the top of the world. Inc. A Time Warner Company All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.