 The northern Atlantic island nation of Iceland is home to Vatnajökull , which is the largest ice cap in Europe . The Breiðamerkurjökull glacier is one of Vatnajökull 's outlet glaciers , and receded by as much as 2 km ( 1 @.@ 2 mi ) between 1973 and 2004 . In the early 20th century , Breiðamerkurjökull extended to within 250 m ( 820 ft ) of the ocean , but by 2004 its terminus had retreated 3 km ( 1 @.@ 9 mi ) further inland . This glacier retreat exposed a rapidly expanding lagoon , Jökulsárlón , which is filled with icebergs calved from its front . Jökulsárlón is 110 m ( 360 ft ) deep and nearly doubled its size between 1994 and 2004 . Mass @-@ balance measurements of Iceland 's glaciers show alternating positive and negative mass balance of glaciers during the period 1987 – 95 , but the mass balance has been predominantly negative since . On Hofsjökull ice cap , mass balance has been negative each year from 1995 – 2005 . 
