Due to its location on the mid-Atlantic ridge the place tectonic plates diverge, Iceland is known for its geothermal power and is residence to not solely volcanoes, but additionally geysers. Essentially the most well-known geothermal space in Iceland is Haukadalur Valley, which is one in every of solely a handful of locations on the earth the place you may see geysers. Not solely that, however there are additionally sizzling springs, fumaroles and dirt pots. And for these of you not acquainted with all of those phrases…
- A sizzling spring, also called a geothermal spring or typically even a hydrothermal spring, is solely a pure spring that emits sizzling water as a consequence of geothermal power generated from beneath.
- A geyser is a sort of sizzling spring by which the water reaches boiling level and periodically erupts withn a extra violent discharge of water and steam.
- A fumarole is a gap on the earth’s floor (or any planet for that matter) the place steam or volcanic gases are emitted.
- A mud pot is a sizzling spring or fumarole the place water is briefly provide
The Haukadalur Valley is simple to get to and is simply a 1.5 hour drive east-northeast of Reykjavik, positioned on route 35 on the Golden Circle route, with parking simply throughout the street.
After all, it’s geysers that are likely to ‘steal the present’ and there are two of be aware within the Haukadalur Valley. These are Geysir and Strokkur.
Geysir
Geysir – additionally typically generally known as Nice Geysir – is the a lot bigger of the 2, and arguably probably the most well-known geyser on the earth, however hardly ever energetic. And by that, I imply it may be years between eruptions – the final time Geysir erupted was in February 2016 however this was its first eruption for the reason that 12 months 2000. It does, nonetheless, imply that technically-speaking it stays energetic, albeit rare.
Strokkur
Simply 100 metres away is Strokkur which is way more energetic of the 2 and probably the most persistent geysers on the earth. It’s mentioned to erupt each 6-10 minutes. While this was largely true, we discovered that the time between eruptions may really be fairly irregular and at one level noticed round three eruptions (of various measurement) in round a 1-2 minute interval.
An eruption begins when a pulse of steam rising from beneath pushes up the water within the pool forming a big dome of water by way of which the steam bursts, forcing the water within the pool skywards. Right here you may see the dome beginning to type…
…earlier than the ‘bubble’ bursts…
…and steam blasts upwards…
…with some drive!
As you may see, it’s fairly a spectacle!
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After getting admired each Geysir and Strokkur from floor degree, you may wander alongside the marked paths exploring different marked sizzling springs earlier than heading up a hill to admire the positioning from above.
Eruptions normally attain a top of round 15-20 metres, however could be something as much as 40 metres. Again within the early nineteenth Century, eruptions had been estimated as being as excessive as 60 metres.
Planning a visit to Iceland your self? You’ll be able to watch a video from our journey to Iceland right here. You will note footage from Strokkur and the Haukadalur Valley between 2m 12s and 2m 22s:
