Jökull - 01.01.2004, Page 91

1974 Spring Expedition to Vatnajökull
the slope into Hveradalur north of the ice-covered
lake, where numerous circular holes (open water) had
formed in the ice cover by sublacustrine geothermal
springs. There was considerable steam emission from
the northwestern ridge of Hveradalur (Figure 3).
30 May:
We headed back to Grímsfjall from Kverkfjöll at 0110
hr, after taking 0.5 hr to start the U.S. Navy snowcat
in subfreezing temperatures. We arrived at the hut at
0315 hr, just over 2 hr travel time from Kverkfjöll. A
half Moon was visible during the first part of the trip,
but by the time the U.S. Navy snowcat arrived at 0515
hr, a major snowstorm was underway.
Figure 2. View of Bombardier on the surface of the
snow-and ice-covered, subglacier lake in Grímsvötn
looking south towards the outcrops on and snow aval-
anches from the cliffs of Grímsfjall on the sout-
hern edge of the caldera. Photograph by Richard S.
Williams, Jr. –
Figure 3. Steam emission from geothermal activity
in Hveradalur. View looking north from Kverkfjöll
across the sandur north of Dyngjujökull. Dyngju-
fjöll is in the background. Photograph by Richard S.
Williams, Jr. –
A blizzard raged with high winds and blowing
snow all day. Visibility was less than 5 m, and snow
accumulation was heavy. Except for brief trips to the
snow-block privy, we were confined to the hut all day,
mostly reading, writing, and story telling.
31 May:
The blizzard continued unabated, perhaps even more
intense than on 30 May. Visibility dropped to 3 m in
heavy snow and high winds. When the inner door of
JÖKULL No. 54, 2004 91