Stunning drone footage of the Vatnajökull glacier, which covers nine per cent of Iceland

Breathtaking drone footage shows the stunning landscape of Europe’s largest glacier, which covers nine per cent of Iceland

  • Stefano Tiozzo filmed a series of unique aerial images of the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland earlier this year 
  • It is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and at its deepest point it is 1,000 metres (3,280ft) thick 
  • Lurking underneath are a number of huge active volcanoes, including Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn

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A drone has captured breathtaking footage of Europe’s largest glacier.

Italian photographer Stefano Tiozzo, 33, filmed a series of unique aerial images of the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland throughout February 2019.

It is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and at its deepest point it is 1,000 metres (3,280ft) thick.

Incredible drone footage captured by Italian photographer Stefano Tiozzo shows Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull in Iceland 

Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and at its deepest point it is 1,000 metres (3,280ft) thick

Vatnajokull is the largest ice cap in Europe by volume and at its deepest point it is 1,000 metres (3,280ft) thick

The glacier displays several 'tongues' - parts where the ice stretches from the core into the Icelandic tundra

The glacier displays several ‘tongues’ – parts where the ice stretches from the core into the Icelandic tundra

Stefano filmed his series of unique aerial images of the Vatnajökull glacier throughout February 2019

Stefano filmed his series of unique aerial images of the Vatnajökull glacier throughout February 2019

Stefano, who lives in Moscow, said: 'Seeing the glacier from above gives you an idea of its sheer size'

Stefano, who lives in Moscow, said: ‘Seeing the glacier from above gives you an idea of its sheer size’ 

The glacier displays several ‘tongues’ – parts where the ice stretches from the core into the Icelandic tundra.

Stefano, who lives in Moscow, Russia, said: ‘Seeing the glacier from above gives you an idea of its sheer size.

‘This was the second year in a row that I visited Vatnajökull, which is receding fast due to rising temperatures.

It is believed that the ice that makes up the ice caves is around 1,000 years old and has been compressed so much it is as hard as steel

It is believed that the ice that makes up the ice caves is around 1,000 years old and has been compressed so much it is as hard as steel

A mesmerising shot captured inside the glacier. Lurking underneath are a number of huge active volcanoes, including Öræfajökull, Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn. The latter is extremely lively and erupted as recently as May 2011, producing an ash cloud that rose 12 miles into the air

A mesmerising shot captured inside the glacier. Lurking underneath are a number of huge active volcanoes, including Öræfajökull, Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn. The latter is extremely lively and erupted as recently as May 2011, producing an ash cloud that rose 12 miles into the air

Stefano added: 'This was the second year in a row that I visited Vatnajökull, which is receding fast due to rising temperatures'

Stefano added: ‘This was the second year in a row that I visited Vatnajökull, which is receding fast due to rising temperatures’ 

‘This year, I visited some of the same spots and it was very clear that the ice had receded, leaving big gaps behind.’

The Vatnajökull glacier is the central feature of the Vatnajökull National Park.

According to www.glacierguides.is Vatnajökull covers an area measuring 8,000 square kilometres (5,500 square miles) – that’s nine per cent of Iceland – and has a total ice volume of 3,300 cubic kilometres (791 cubic miles).

It is believed that the ice that makes up the ice caves is around 1,000 years old and has been compressed so much it is as hard as steel. 

The Vatnajökull glacier covers nine per cent of Iceland and is the central feature of the Vatnajökull National Park

The Vatnajökull glacier covers nine per cent of Iceland and is the central feature of the Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull is home to Iceland¿s highest mountain, 6,922ft-high Hvannadalshnúkur

It is estimated to have a volume of 3,300 cubic km (791 cubic miles)

In the freeze frame: Vatnajökull covers an area measuring 8,000 square kilometres (5,500 square miles) and has a total ice volume of 3,300 cubic kilometres (791 cubic miles)

The glacier was used as a filming location for the opening scenes of the James Bond movie A View To A Kill

The glacier was used as a filming location for the opening scenes of the James Bond movie A View To A Kill 

Lurking underneath, meanwhile, are a number of huge active volcanoes, including Öræfajökull, Bárðarbunga and Grímsvötn. The latter is extremely lively and erupted as recently as May 2011, producing an ash cloud that rose 12 miles into the air.

Vatnajökull is also home to Iceland’s highest mountain, 6,922ft-high Hvannadalshnúkur.

Such is the sheer majesty of the landscape that the producers of James Bond movie A View To A Kill were moved to use it as the location for the opening scenes.