Geitlandsjökull Explained

Geitlandsjökull
Other Name:	Vatnajökull
Type:	Outlet glacier
Coords:	64.6°N -20.6°W
Area:	^[1]
Status:	stable

Geitlandsjökull
Elevation M:	1400
Map:	Iceland
Map Size:	240
Label Position:	right
Location:	Iceland
Coordinates:	64.6°N -20.6°W
Type:	Tuya

Geitlandsjökull (pronounced as /is/) is a lateral glacier of Langjökull, with a flowshed of from the second largest ice cap in Iceland at, in the west of Iceland.^[1] It has also been used as the name for the substantial Langjökull ice cap, as has the name Suðurjöklar.^[2] The highest point of Geitlandsjökull, which lies on top of a tuya, reaches a height of .^{[3] [4]}

Unlike most of the outlet glaciers of Langjökull which are retreating, its recent mass balance is stable, as it intercepts the predominant low pressure weather systems from the south-west.^[1] In the Grettis saga the outlaw Grettir Ásmundarson climbed Geitlandsjökull and walked south fromit to a grassy valley with hot springs and surrounded by glaciers on all sides.^[5]

Notes and References

1. Pope. A.. Willis. I.C.. Palsson. F.. Arnold. N.S.. Rees. W.G.. Björnsson. H.. Grey. L.. 2016. Elevation change, mass balance, dynamics and surging of Langjökull, Iceland from 1997 to 2007. Journal of Glaciology. 62. 233. 497-511. 2016JGlac..62..497P. 10.1017/jog.2016.55.
2. Book: Geographic Names of Iceland’s Glaciers:Historic and Modern. Satellite Image Atlas of Glaciers of the World series (U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1386-D. Oddur. Sigurðsson. Richard S.. Williams. 2008. Richard S. Williams Jr.. Jane G. Ferrigno. 15 May 2024.
3. https://www.statice.is/uploads/LH09/L090103.xls
4. https://www.vedur.is/media/vedurstofan/utgafa/skyrslur/2009/VI_2009_011.pdf Beleg 2009 durch Untersuchungen des Isl. Wetteramtes an Erdbebenserien
5. Book: The Glaciers of Iceland:A Historical, Cultural and Scientific Overview. History of Glaciology in Iceland. Helgi. Björnsson. 129–207. 2017. 10.2991/978-94-6239-207-6. Julian Meldon D'Arcy. Atlantis Press. Paris. 978-94-6239-207-6.