Because of its location on the mid-Atlantic ridge the place tectonic plates diverge, Iceland is legendary for its geothermal vitality and is house to not solely volcanoes, but in addition geysers. Probably the most well-known geothermal space in Iceland is Haukadalur Valley, which is considered one of solely a handful of locations on the planet the place you’ll be able to see geysers. Not solely that, however there are additionally scorching springs, fumaroles and dirt pots. And for these of you not conversant in all of those phrases…
- A scorching spring, often known as a geothermal spring or typically even a hydrothermal spring, is just a pure spring that emits scorching water as a result of geothermal vitality generated from under.
- A geyser is a sort of scorching 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 scorching 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, situated on route 35 on the Golden Circle route, with parking simply throughout the highway.
In fact, it’s geysers that are likely to ‘steal the present’ and there are two of observe within the Haukadalur Valley. These are Geysir and Strokkur.
Geysir
Geysir – additionally typically often known as Nice Geysir – is the a lot bigger of the 2, and arguably essentially the most well-known geyser on the planet, however not often 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 yr 2000. It does, nonetheless, imply that technically-speaking it stays energetic, albeit rare.
Strokkur
Simply 100 metres away is Strokkur which is rather more energetic of the 2 and one of the crucial persistent geysers on the planet. It’s stated to erupt each 6-10 minutes. While this was largely true, we discovered that the time between eruptions might truly 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 under 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’ll be able to see the dome beginning to kind…
…earlier than the ‘bubble’ bursts…
…and steam blasts upwards…
…with some pressure!
As you’ll be able to see, it’s fairly a spectacle!
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After getting admired each Geysir and Strokkur from floor degree, you’ll be able to wander alongside the marked paths exploring different marked scorching springs earlier than heading up a hill to admire the positioning from above.
Eruptions often 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 possibly can 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:
Disclosure: Our journey to Iceland was sponsored by Helly Hansen.
