An American tourist tragically died last month when an ice cave arch collapsed at the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in Iceland, part of Vatnajokull National Park. His girlfriend was injured in the accident, which has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with glacial tourism. While the incident isn’t directly linked to climate change, experts warn that melting glaciers are becoming more unstable, making these natural attractions more dangerous.
As global temperatures rise, glaciers are receding, leading to a surge in “last chance tourism”—a rush to visit glaciers before they disappear. Iceland has become a popular destination for such tourism, with around half a million people visiting each year for glacier tours. However, the increasing meltwater makes glacier formations, including ice caves, more prone to collapse, raising safety concerns.
In response to the accident, the Icelandic park service has temporarily suspended ice cave tours to review safety protocols. Tour operators are also adapting to the changing environment by maintaining paths, bridges, and handrails, and sometimes placing insulating blankets on glaciers to slow melting.
Experts like Emmanuel Salim, a geography professor at the University of Toulouse, highlight that as glaciers melt faster, these attractions are becoming riskier. Trevor Kreznar, manager of Exit Glacier Guides in Alaska, points out that while outdoor enthusiasts have grown in number, glaciers are less stable than they were decades ago.
Though glacial tourism remains popular, it may face a decline as glaciers continue to recede. Corin Lohmann, owner of IceWalks in Alberta, Canada, warns that the trend may have an expiration date within the next few decades, as the stark effects of climate change become impossible to ignore.