It is about 8 km long and 1-2 km wide.  River Jokulsa discharges it, and is sometimes called “The Stinking River” because of its emission of sulphuric acid from sub-glacial high temperature areas.

The glacier advanced about 900 meters during the last few centuries, but retreated greatly from 1930 to 1964.  In the nineties it advanced and almost managed to cover the Jokulhaus hill.  Lagoons developed in the side valleys and one of them often emptied quite suddenly.  The floods lasted a few days and created danger for the passers by.

Guides have offered hiking trips up the glacier tounge (3 hours), and equip the participants with everything but warm clothing.