Posts Tagged ‘Norway’
Vatnajokull, where fire and ice crossing
It has a strange name, difficult to pronounce for most, but it is one of the largest glaciers in Europe and one of the most amazing landscapes. This is Vatnajokull. Their place is in Iceland, with a total area of 8100 km . The ice thickness is about 400 meters and can reach up to 1,000 meters. It is situated at the head of Europe in volume (about 3,000 km ) and the second area, behind only Austfonna in Norway . Behind this sublime landscape, volcanic activity operates. Volcanic systems in the field of ice have been active in historic times and the constant activity born the so-called ” lakes volcanic “, which are often sources mainly from the later glaciers. In them we find impressive ice caves we snatch the breath before it becomes cold mist.
Although its dimensions are outrageous, Vatnajokull has experienced a continuous decline due to global warming and the recent volcanic activity in the area. Therefore, Iceland began a project of nature conservation in 2008 and created the Vatnajokull National Park . A unique park, where they interact rubble ice, glaciers, geotermina energy and activity dynamics of subglacial volcanoes. The park includes several areas, not just the Vatnajokull glacier, but others already are previously protected as national parks of Skaftafell and Jokulsargljufur and Lonsorafi moor. Therefore, the dimension of the whole park amounts to 12,000 square kilometers, equivalent to 12% and the country of Iceland.
Tourists visiting the protected area can witness the culture and history of communities around the glacier, which have adapted and learned to live with their environment. Being so close to nature, allows us to live a wonderful experience. The natural elements shaping the landscape and with it open wide possibilities for studying and learning experts, and create places where fresh air to breathe in quiet places, for tourists and residents. The Park is home to several visitor centers where you coordinate different activities such as exhibitions, shows, cultural events and provide traveler information.
In several parts of the park, rangers also offer guided tours of interpretation of nature. Vatnajokull becomes an opportunity to contemplate the grandeur of volcanic eruptions and catastrophic floods, and the delicate Icelandic flora and fauna. An opportunity to see how fire and ice play lead roles and often complementary.