The Heartbreaking Demise of Okjökull: The First Glacier Officially Lost to Climate Change

In a striking testament to the effects of climate change, Okjökull, once a proud glacier atop Iceland’s Ok volcano, has officially been declared dead. Satellite images from 1986 and 2019 vividly illustrate this tragic transformation, showcasing the glacier’s rapid disappearance over just three decades.

Location and Background:

Okjökull, pronounced "Auk," was situated at the summit of a 3,940-foot-tall (1,200 meters) shield volcano located approximately 44 miles (71 kilometers) northwest of Reykjavík. Its name translates to “Ok Glacier” in Icelandic. Once, in 1901, the glacier had an expansive ice cover of around 15 square miles (39 square kilometers). However, by the time satellite images were taken in 1986, less than 1 square mile (2.6 square km) of ice remained. Just over three decades later, that figure plummeted to a mere 0.4 square miles (1 square km), according to NASA's Earth Observatory.

The Moment of Reckoning:

In 2014, Icelandic glaciologists formally announced Okjökull's death, noting that its ice had thinned so significantly that it no longer flowed down the mountain—a stark indicator that it had ceased moving for the first time in tens of thousands of years. The glacier’s demise has been documented in various scientific publications and environmental discussions, reflecting the critical state of glaciers worldwide.

A Funeral for the Glacier:

In a moving ceremony held in August 2019, around 100 individuals, including scientists, politicians, and activists, gathered near the glacier’s summit to pay their respects. Attendees honored Okjökull with a memorial plaque inscribed with a powerful message titled "A Letter to the Future." This poignant tribute expressed awareness of the climate crisis and the pressing need for action. Notably, the plaque highlighted the alarming concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which was recorded at 415 parts per million at the time—a figure that has tragically increased to over 428 ppm by March 2025.

A Broader Implication:

Okjökull's fate is not an isolated incident. The United Nations has compiled a Global Glacier Casualty List, which currently includes 15 major glaciers that are either dead or critically endangered, reflecting a concerning trend not just in Iceland, but globally. In 2023, Iceland even established the world’s first iceberg graveyard, marking the growing recognition of this environmental crisis.

Beyond the Numbers:

The loss of glaciers like Okjökull is not just a scientific issue; it has profound implications for ecosystems, sea levels, and weather patterns worldwide. As we witness our planet's glaciers shrink alarmingly, the urgency for comprehensive climate action has never been clearer. Will future generations look back at this time and ask if we did enough to prevent such tragedies? Only time will tell.

Stay informed on climate matters, as they continue to shape our world dramatically.