Iceland also commonly known as the land of fire and ice, has some of the most interesting and spectacular landscapes found on earth. It is this corrosive coexistence of ice, water, land and fire that really brings out the best in nature’s ability to sculpt; and one of nature’s best examples is the Crytal Ice Caves of Vatnajökull. Vatnajökull is the largest glacier in Europe (by volume), covering an area of more than 8,400 km² and about 8% of the landmass of Iceland. The glacier is in the southeast of Iceland approximately 350 km from Reykjavik and is accessible by 4×4.
Beneath the icy surface of Vatnajökull lies a world of crystal-clear ice caves, formed by the movement of meltwater under the glacier, which creates tunnels and caves in the ice. These tunnels and caves are constantly changing, as the meltwater carves new paths through the glacier every year. Visiting the crystal ice caves is a truly unique experience, you are immediately struck by the beauty of the translucent blue ice that surrounds you. The ice is so clear that you can see through it, and the light filtering through the ice creates an ethereal glow that is unlike anything you have ever seen before. The cave walls are adorned with intricate patterns and textures that are created by the slow movement of the glacier over thousands of years.
What is truly fascinating is that these caves are constantly morphing, creating new works of art season for season. It is also important to understand the fragility of these natural masterpieces, with the threat of global warming, one day they could be gone forever.
