Geysers of Iceland

by Martin Rietze

in deutsch

 

The geothrmal field around the geyser, which is the world wide eponym of all spring sources, is about  8000 years. After the earthquake in 1630 the geyser started with its main eruptions. Until to the end of the 19th century the geyser was spattering about 60 meters. In 1916 the spattering stopped at all and soap was the one solution to keep this geyser active  By adding 40 kg of soap the activity was reanimated, until the natur conservancy stopped that nonsense because of the land pollution. Fortunately this geyser has an reliable neighbor: Strokkur, the butter churn. This name was given because its shaft is constricting like a butter churn.

                 

Strokkur, also named "butter churn". With its steady eruptions between 1-10 meters this geyser is the most active on this island.

       

Strokkur and the solfatara area Hverarönd near the Myvatn sea in the north of Iceland.

   

Thermal source Blesi (Blesse) near the geyser. The thermal basin is colorless and filled up with boiling water. The other one which is lower situated is 40 C° 'cold' and has as the result of the interaction with the precipitating silicic acid and the air a shining azure color. Right: Strokkur in the polar twilight of December.

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 ©photos & text by  Martin Rietze , Webbl Th. Böckel ,last modification 25.3.2005


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