The Strokkur geyser and its magic attract tourism

Iceland is the home of geysers. The word geyser has its origins on the island, since it derives from the verb geysa, whose translation is “to sprout.” Iceland has many geysers on its territory, almost all of them located in Haukadalur, a thermal area. Among the most notable are the Geysir, which in the past raised columns of boiling water to more than 60 meters. However, it is currently inactive. Meanwhile, the Strokkur geyser, whose literal translation is “container for mashing milk,” releases its column of water 20 meters high every hour.

Strokkur Geyser

Iceland has many hot springs

Iceland has numerous hot springs. There are many areas of this country where the subsoil vapor reaches temperatures between 150º and 250º Celsius. For this reason, 90% of buildings and homes in Iceland have heating provided by geothermal energy.

The Strokkur geyser is the most regular today. Every hour it releases a dozen eruptions 20 meters high. The magic of its sight reaches its peak if you can see it in slow motion. It is the best way to appreciate how he forcefully throws the boiling water. When it reaches the maximum height, it divides. Some of it dissipates into steam and the rest is reintroduced through the mouth of the geyser. In turn, it leaves a trail of small droplets that are carried by the wind.

Iceland is characterized by its stunning natural landscapes and a unique source of geothermal energy. On the island, the opposite of the average terrestrial geothermal temperature occurs. It is around 30 °C, which tends to increase as you go deeper into the Earth’s crust. While in Iceland, this value is multiplied by a factor of four. This geothermal phenomenon is particularly unique in this Nordic country. This means that just a thousand meters underground, water boils constantly, making it an exceptional geothermal resource.

The Strokkur geyser and other attractions attract thousands of tourists to Iceland

The amazing phenomenon of geysers shares similarities with the operation of an expresso or pressure cooker. The key to this natural spectacle lies in the process of boiling water, when the steam manages to overcome the pressure of the surrounding air.

In the subsoil, water is trapped in cavities between extremely hot rocks, generating hydrostatic pressure that adds to atmospheric pressure. As pressure builds, water desperately seeks an escape route through a hole. Finally, it gives rise to the impressive spectacle known as a geyser. This process of boiling and pressure release creates a unique natural phenomenon that attracts the attention of tourism.

Despite the impressive geysers, Iceland offers much more in its palette of tourist attractions. One of the most popular itineraries for travelers is the Golden Circle, located near the capital, Reykjavík. This tour includes three outstanding destinations:

  • Thingvellir National Park, which holds the title of Natural Heritage of Humanity
  • The majestic Gullfoss waterfall
  • The incredible geysers.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall

Thingvellir National Park is a unique place where rivers flow through fissures in the rock. Tourists walk inside these fissures, known as Almannagjá. On the other hand, the famous Gullfoss waterfall is distinguished by its impressive double waterfall. Its height reaches 31 meters and an astonishing current of water that moves at a rate of 109 cubic meters per second.

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