The Story of Iceland’s Vanishing Ok Glacier

In 2014, Iceland marked a unique geological milestone with the disappearance of Okjökull, also known as Ok Glacier. Once a sprawling ice mass atop the Ok volcano in western Iceland, Okjökull originally covered over five square miles and reached an ice thickness of approximately 165 feet. However, over time, it significantly shrank, and by 2014, its size had reduced to less than 0.4 square miles with a thickness of only 50 feet. At this point, glaciologist Oddur Sigurðsson officially determined that Okjökull no longer had the necessary mass for glacial movement, effectively losing its status as a glacier.

To acknowledge this transformation, a commemorative ceremony was held on August 18, 2019, at the site where Okjökull once stood. During the event, a plaque titled "A Letter to the Future" was installed. The inscription on the plaque notes that Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status and mentions the atmospheric CO₂ levels at the time—415 parts per million. It also serves as a message to future generations, reflecting on human awareness of environmental changes and the actions taken in response.

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A Letter to the Future

"Ok is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. In the next 200 years all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. This monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it."

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The event was attended by notable figures, including Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Environment Minister Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson. The ceremony and plaque serve as a lasting tribute to Okjökull’s transformation, highlighting the evolving landscape of Iceland’s glaciers and the importance of understanding natural changes in the environment.

While Ok Glacier’s story is unique, it also provides insight into the broader patterns affecting glaciers worldwide. Whether as a natural evolution or a shift requiring further study, its disappearance offers an opportunity to reflect on the dynamic nature of our planet’s ice formations.

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