Geothermal activity

Iceland sits on top of the Mid-Atlantic volcanic ridge where one of the world‘s most active hotspots continuously pushes the molten rock up to the surface. Beneath Iceland, the earth‘s crust is thin, fractured and faulted. As a result, the country is peppered with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.


Geysir and Strokkur

One of Iceland‘s greatest natural attractions is the Geysir geothermal area where erupting geysers, brilliantly colored hot pools and bubbling mud pots offer visitor spectacular views. Stars of the show are the hot springs Geysir (the one that lent all other geysers its name) and Strokkur, one of the world‘s most persistent geysers that erupt on average with an interval of 4 to 8 minutes.

The great Geysir hot spring has been active for over 10.000 years but over the centuries volcanic eruptions and earthquakes have worked to either subdue or increased its activity. Up to the latter half of the 20th century Geysir would every once in a while have spectacular eruptions blasting tons of scalding water and steam over 300ft into the air. Today Geysir is more or less dormant, but its younger cousin Strokkur makes sure visitors get what they came for.