Geyser Strokkur in Iceland. Geysers of Iceland Grýla Jumping Witch

The Haukadalur Valley, located in the southwest of Iceland, is one of the island's main attractions and is part of the Golden Circle tourist route. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year to watch the seething geysers: the Icelandic Plateau is a popular destination for lovers of breathtaking natural phenomena. In total, there are about forty hot springs in the Haukadalur Valley, including Lake Blesi, famous for the bright turquoise hues of its water.

The symbols of Haukadalur are the powerful geysers Strokkur and Geysir (or Great Geyser), which erupt at different intervals. Strokkur shoots jets of hot water every five to ten minutes, sometimes several times in a row, shooting steam to a height of up to 20 meters. Geysir, on the contrary, erupts only a few times a day, and often completely subsides for several days, months or years. The height of the water it throws reaches 60 meters, and seeing this fascinating natural phenomenon is a real success.

You should not get close to even small seething geysers: the temperature of the water and steam is so high that it can burn you. However, the most dangerous areas are surrounded by a fence, so visiting the Haukadalur Valley is safe even for small children.

How to get there

The Haukadalur Valley is located one hundred kilometers to the east and is part of the popular Golden Circle tourist route that runs through southern and central Iceland. In addition to the geysers, during the trip you can see the national park Thingvellir, or Thingvellir, as well as the Gullfoss waterfall. You can get to the geysers on a day trip along the route starting from Reykjavik. The trip can be made by rented car, jeep, minibus, or snowmobile. The approximate duration of the excursion is 7-8 hours.

The cost of a Golden Circle tour by minibus starts from 7900 ISK (~$79.0) for adults and 3950 ISK (~$39.5) for children from 2 to 12 years old, including visits to all natural attractions of Iceland included in the route. In addition, you can go on an evening tour lasting 5-6 hours; it is only available in the summer season - from June to August 20. Departure - at 18:30-19:00; a minibus picks up tourists from hotels. Cost - 8500 ISK (~$85.0) per person.

Renting an SUV to travel around the Golden Circle will cost 33,000 ISK (~$330.0) for adults and 16,500 ISK (~$165.0) for children. Each seat in the jeep is paid for. The price includes guide services. A trip by snowmobile will cost 37,900 ISK (~$379.0) per person. More information about the route can be found on the official Golden Circle website (www.goldencircleiceland.com).

If you are traveling by car, be careful: from late autumn to spring, roads leading to natural attractions may be covered with ice and snow. To travel safely, you must have extreme driving skills; otherwise, the best way to see the Golden Circle is to join a tour group.

Location

The valley of geysers Haukadalur is located northeast of Lake Laugarvatn, in the southwestern part.

Do you want to travel to those corners of the globe that boast amazing natural phenomena and unique attractions? Today we are going on a tourist visit to the Haukadalur valley, which is located among the rich exotic landscapes of the environs of Iceland. The valley has long won love among tourists for its unique nature and simply a huge number of natural springs and reservoirs for every taste. It is precisely because of this that it is included in the so-called Golden Circle (“Golden Ring”) of the route of many tourist groups.

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In the cold waters of the Atlantic, not far from the Arctic Circle, lies a unique and, one might even say, fabulous island with unique nature - Iceland. The beauty here is unusual, even a little harsh and ascetic. Throughout the entire area of ​​the island there are dozens of scorching geysers, which explode here and there like soap bubbles. They are echoed by numerous ancient volcanoes. And this whole bright picture is completed by masses of huge glaciers sliding from the tops of the mountains.

The brightest place on the island - the Valley of Geysers - is located just a hundred kilometers from the Icelandic capital. Even at the entrance to it, an unusual picture opens before the eyes of inspired tourists. Huge clouds of steam soar upward one by one, as if saluting the next thrill-seekers. It is thanks to this unique natural phenomenon that Iceland received the nickname “Smoking Harbor”.

Iceland itself is a unique place on the planet. There is extreme activity of tectonic processes here. And the island itself is nothing more than a huge column of lava that has risen from the depths of the ocean for centuries. Similar phenomena exist in other regions of the globe, one of which is part of Russia (Kamchatka).

Symbols of the Icelandic valley

Every year thousands of tourists and simply those who have a weakness for breathtaking natural phenomena and picturesque places come to admire the local beauty. There are about 40 hot springs, among which Lake Blezi, world-famous for its unusually turquoise waters, deserves special attention.

But the real symbols of the valley are considered to be the Strokkur and Geysir geysers, which are among the most powerful on the planet. Being close to these wonders of nature, one gets the deceptive impression that they have their own soul, and their mood can change several times a day. It’s as if we are in the abode of Mother Nature herself, where everything is boiling and seething, striking the imagination with its outlandish actions.

Both geysers erupt their waters from the depths of the earth at different intervals. If Geysir pleases tourists only a couple of times a day (sometimes fading for several weeks or even months) with grandiose jets of water, which sometimes reach 60 meters in height, then Strokkur gives bright emotions every ten minutes, and sometimes manages to shoot several jets in a row. The maximum height of such a steam-water flow reaches 20-30 meters.

No matter how much you would like to come closer to the geyser, this should not be done under any circumstances. The temperature of the boiling water is so high that it can easily leave unpleasant memories in the form of serious burns. Agree, then there will be no time for tourist excursions and photography. At the same time, Icelandic services took care of the safety of visitors, so they fenced off the most dangerous areas. Now even children can witness this striking natural phenomenon, and their parents will not worry about their safety.

How does a natural “fountain” work?

The whole process originates in the depths of the earth's crust. The lower layers, which are under constant pressure from the upper layers of water, heat up and release huge amounts of steam. They say that the water in the earth's crust heats up to 120 degrees. Over time, hot streams rise upward. The difference in temperature causes boiling, which ends with an enchanting release of steam and millions of sprays several meters into the sky. It seems that the splashes are competing with each other, trying to surpass the speed and altitude of their “rivals”.

Immediately after the splash, the water retreats into the mouth of the geyser, but a second later it comes out again, as if studying the reaction of tourists who have just witnessed an impressive show. The approach of the next eruption can be predicted. Shortly before this, a noticeable pulsation of water begins in the neck of the geyser. This occurs under the influence of steam, which accumulates in the lower layers and rushes to the top. Well, before the water is thrown out, a kind of bubble forms in the geyser, which is about to burst, which forces even the bravest tourists to slowly back away. Under the influence of steam, the bubble collapses and an eruption occurs.

As a rule, during one such “approach” only a one-time release of water occurs, but sometimes you can witness a whole cycle of eruptions. It is believed that it is difficult to find two identical geysers on the planet, and the Icelandic representatives of these natural “fountains” are the brightest and most impressive. Everyone should see the Strokkur geyser with their own eyes at least once in their life. Memorable photographs, vivid memories and unique sensations are guaranteed to everyone without exception.

Interestingly, Strokkur arose a little later than its “big brother” Geysir. It is the latter who is considered its ancestor and main creator. Its formation and operation were significantly influenced by earthquakes, which until recently were the hallmark of the island.

A tourist route

Well, are you already looking forward to your meeting with the brightest representatives of the geyser family? Then let's figure out a tourist route that will allow you not to lose sight of many more interesting things. Iceland is rich in vibrant landscapes and unusual natural attractions.

When going to Iceland, you should definitely make your route through the Thingvellir Valley (which is better known as Thing Fields National Park) and Gullfoss Waterfall, which are also part of the above-mentioned “Golden Tourist Ring”.

The most optimal route would be from the capital of the island through the valley of geysers, which is only a few tens of kilometers away. And you will have to get at least 100 km to get to the Great Geyser and the Strokkur Geyser. But, take my word for it, you won’t be bored at all along the way. Marvelous landscapes, blue skies with shaggy clouds of bizarre shapes and rapidly changing weather - all this will give you vivid impressions of your stay in this distant, almost polar land.

Even if you decide to travel using public transport, the trip will not take more than a couple of hours. But most tourists prefer to travel by rented car, the prices for which are quite modest here. Well, for special tourists who crave not only new experiences, but also cannot live without extreme sports, there is always the opportunity to rent a snowmobile.

If you are in Iceland for the first time and are not well versed in the area, numerous tour guides will help you organize your weekend correctly. As a rule, sightseeing under the guidance of a professional guide takes 7-8 hours, so you should think about preparing sandwiches and hot tea.

We will also provide approximate prices for excursions. Thus, a trip along the Golden Ring with stops at the most striking sights on a comfortable bus will cost each tourist about $70. There is a system of discounts for children, which allows tourists under 12 years of age to save approximately half of the indicated price on a ticket.

The small island state of the North Atlantic, called the Land of Ice, has become a real “Mecca” of tourist pilgrimage, despite the rather harsh, far from beach climatic conditions.

The mystery of Iceland's popularity among tourists

The island of Iceland with the state of the same name formed on it is one of the most unique and picturesque places on the planet, which annually welcomes more than a million tourists from all over the world.

What is the mystery of the increased interest in this island? What makes it unique? After all, Iceland is located only a short distance from the Arctic Circle, a bleak and monotonous zone of permafrost. Indeed, the vegetation on the island is quite sparse, in some places simply ascetic, the climate is subarctic, partly softened by the warm Gulf Stream. It would seem that what is there to see here?

Meanwhile, the number of guests to this northern island is growing every year, becoming serious for a country with a little more than 300 thousand people who make up the local population.

Iceland - a country of geysers, glaciers and volcanoes

In fact, there is something to see in Iceland, and what you see will remain in your memory for a long time - it is here that you can contemplate all the natural power, the colossal strength and splendor of Mother Earth itself, manifested in all four elements at once. No wonder Iceland has so many names: “land of ice”, “island of volcanoes”, “land of hot springs” and, of course, “country of geysers”.

The geysers of Iceland are one of the main attractions of this small state. Already a hundred kilometers from Reykjavik (the capital of Iceland), all the splendor and grandeur of the Haukadalur geyser valley opens before the traveler. Seeing the geysers of Iceland in a photo and stepping into the valley itself are far from the same thing.

A show put on by nature itself

This Icelandic valley of geysers, with about 40 hot springs, has become famous throughout the world. It is this place that attracts numerous tourist flows with its incredibly colorful shows and fabulous productions, where the role of the director is given to nature itself, and not to human genius.

The puffs of white steam creeping along the ground are reminiscent of a pop production, when white puffs of smoke spread across the stage, foreshadowing something interesting and exciting that will happen there very soon. And according to the laws of the genre, as in all shows created by man, the intrigue has its continuation in the Valley of Geysers. Because of the curtain of steam, powerful geysers burst out of the ground and rush upward - the performance begins. More precisely, it continues. Day and night, winter and summer - always. An endless theatrical performance that differs from man-made productions in its scale, grandeur, and richness of colors and decorations.

The history of the name of the capital of Iceland

Thanks to this spectacle, the capital of Iceland received its name Reykjavik - according to some sources, translated meaning “smoking harbor”, “smoky bay”, “bay of smoke”. This place was first given this name by the Norwegian navigator Arnarson (9th century), when he and his retinue landed on the shore of the island to settle. Subsequently, he invited other representatives of noble Norwegian families with their squads, who were in constant conflict with the current jarl in Norway.

Haukadalur Valley

The Haukadalur valley owes its fame and popularity to the large number of large geysers, one of which can rise in a column to a height of up to 60 meters. Fantastic spectacle.

In addition to large bubbling geysers, you can find many smaller hot springs in the valley. They are also capable of attracting interest with their diversity: some gush, others look like boiling and seething puddles. There are also those that are very similar to a country watering sprayer, spraying streams of water over the beds. With one difference. The water of the geysers is not at all harmless; it is boiling and can cause severe skin burns. And the persistent characteristic smell of sulfur indicates that this water is not suitable for drinking.

Every year the appearance of the valley changes. The reason for this is the high seismic activity of this area.

Great, or Great, Geyser of Iceland

The Geyser Valley of Iceland is home to the world's oldest and most famous bubbling geyser, the Great Geyser of Iceland, discovered in the 13th century. The chronicles tell that its strength and power were so great that far around the area the earth “trembled and shook” during the next eruption. The ancestors of modern Icelanders deified him and named him Geysir. This name subsequently began to be applied to all similar natural phenomena - geysers.

In the 19th century, the powerful Geysir ceased its activity. Many believed that the geyser had ended its existence. But a strong earthquake once brought Geysir out of hibernation. The geyser started working again, although not much remained of its former power and splendor. The Great Geyser temporarily stops its activity, “resting” for several days and even months. It is considered great luck to see it in action. When active, Geysir erupts several times a day, and its columns can reach 50-60 meters, which gives it the title of Great. Its “brothers” - the geysers of Iceland, of course, cannot boast of such power. The second largest geyser in the Haukadalur valley is Strokkur, which shoots out columns of hot water and steam only 20-30 meters away.

Geyser Strokkur

Being second is also an honor. Especially considering that Strokkur erupts every five minutes (on average). And it is simply impossible to visit the valley of geysers without seeing the bright colorful spectacle of this miracle of nature. Strokkur in translation means “churn”, “butter tub”. This seething geyser has become much more popular among tourists than the more ancient and powerful Geysir. Strokkur's eruptions cannot be predicted. The auxiliary part of speech is always applicable to them - the conjunction “or”. A geyser can make one, two, even three consecutive eruptions at a time, the frequency of eruptions also varies. He is able to manifest himself every 2-3 minutes, and can indicate his presence after 5-6 minutes. These values ​​alternate chaotically, which adds uniqueness.

Combination of incongruous

This is the term that can be applied to the island of Iceland. Volcanoes and geysers, sliding glaciers are in amazingly close proximity, amazing the brethren of tourists with their appearance. Although there is nothing surprising in this. Geysers all over the world are found in areas of increased seismic activity, in places where there are volcanoes. The geysers of Iceland indicate the ongoing process of volcanic activity.

From the history of Icelandic geysers

Iceland's geysers have their own history. The approximate age of the Haukadalur geyser valley (according to various sources) is about ten thousand years. The massive appearance of geysers is associated with strong earthquakes in this geographical area dating back to 1294. All significant events and changes in the Haukadalur Valley are associated with earthquakes:

• the massive explosion of numerous geysers in 1630 shook the earth and filled space with unimaginable noise;
• Geysir's long inactivity ended in 1896, the geyser became active;
• 1910 - the activity of the Great Geyser increases sharply, and emissions occur every half hour;
• 1915 - Geysir again changes its frequency of emissions, increasing the time interval between them to six hours;
• a year later (1916) its activity becomes minimal and soon stops altogether;
• The year 2000 revives the activity of the Great Geyser with a frequency of up to 8 times a day.

The list of all the changes could be endless - they occur regularly and are not even always noticeable during review. This place is the island of Iceland. Mysterious and unpredictable. And it’s definitely worth a visit if the opportunity arises to see this miraculous miracle.

The state of Iceland is located on the island of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the Scandinavian Peninsula. The total area is 103,000 square km, the length of the coastline is 6,000 km. The northern and eastern coasts of the country are represented by fjords and bays, cutting deeply into the high shores. The southern and western sides are dominated by lowlands, close to which lagoons and large bays approach.

Relief of Iceland

The relief of Iceland is a plateau with steep cliffs. Its height reaches 400 - 600 m. On the Icelandic plateau there are volcanic mountains and high-mountain plateaus. The height of individual peaks reaches 2,000 m.

The lowlands of Iceland occupy the southern, western and southwestern parts of the island. In relation to the plateau, they make up 7% of the state's territory. The lowlands are mostly swampy.

Geologically, the island of Iceland is a young formation. Its relief is clear evidence of volcanic origin. Almost all types of volcanoes on the globe are represented on the island. Craters that appear along tectonic faults and cracks are often encountered.

Eruptions and earthquakes occur regularly on the island. Active volcanic activity in Iceland is the reason for the appearance of many thermal springs and geysers in the country.

Volcanoes of Iceland

The largest volcano in Iceland. Active. Its height is 2,119 m. It is the largest glacier in the country.

The peaks of Éraiväjökull are covered with ice. In total, two eruptions have been recorded in the history of the island: an explosive one with floods, in 1362, and a protracted one, in the period from 1727 to 1728.

The volcano, which is the symbol of Iceland. Active. It erupts regularly once every 50 years. Its height is 1,491 m. Its last eruption occurred in 2000.

This is a conical stratovolcano, the top of which is almost always hidden by a cloud cap. Previously, trees and other vegetation grew on the slopes of its mountains; today there are no plants.

Another stratovolcano in Iceland, 1,516 m high. Located in the center of the Icelandic plateau, it is active. The last eruption took place in 1961.

In the caldera of the Askja volcano there are two lakes that were formed as a result of the 1875 eruption:

• Lake Eskvatn is the deepest lake in the country, 220 m deep, today covered with ice;
• Lake Viti is geothermal with milky blue water that emits a sulfur smell.

The presence of lakes has made the volcano a tourist attraction.

A shield-shaped volcano, represented by hundreds of craters. Its length is 25 km, the highest point is 818 m.

The volcano is active. One of its eruptions, which took place in 1783-1784, became the most destructive in the last millennium. The length of the erupted lava flow was 130 km. About half of the country's total livestock was destroyed. The triggered melting of glaciers led to floods that killed 20% of the population.

Weather disasters have affected the entire Northern Hemisphere of the earth. The air temperature dropped by several degrees throughout the year.

The second highest volcano in Iceland, 2,009 m. It is a subglacial stratovolcano. Active. The extreme period of his activity began in 2007, since then the intensity of activity began to increase. Eruptions are accompanied by tremors.

The last eruption occurred in August 2014. The magnitude of the fluctuations reached 5 points, hot lava came out of the faults to the surface. Residents of the surrounding area were evacuated.

Geysers of Iceland

It is a major tourist attraction. Located in the Høykadalur Valley. During rare periods of activity, it throws a column of water onto the ground, reaching a height of 60 m. During the period of hibernation, it turns into a shallow lake with green water. The inactive state may persist for several years.

The activity of the geyser depends on seismic processes and volcanic activity. An active state with eruptions up to 8 times a day was observed in 2000. In the 80s of the last century, artificial influence on the activity of the geyser by adding soap was actively practiced. Due to environmental concerns, this practice has been abolished, and such enforcement measures are now applied exclusively on the country's independence day, June 17.

The geyser is located near the Great Geyser. Is active. The height of the column of water can reach 30 m. The periods between eruptions are 5 - 6 minutes; it is not uncommon for a geyser to erupt up to 3 times in a row.

The geyser is surrounded by small lakes with blue and clear water, which are hot underground waters that have come to the surface. The area where the geyser is located also smells of hydrogen sulfide.

Iceland is the most beautiful country in the world. The island is located in the Atlantic Ocean, right next to the Arctic Circle. Iceland has fabulous beauty, although its nature is rather ascetic. It is a country of glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.

The ancient population of Iceland are pagans, and since the 17th century, Lutheranism, which is a type of Protestantism, has been established in this place.

Iceland's landscapes are rare. At one time, a third of the island was covered with forests, but today it is less than a hundredth of it. The very first settlers are to blame for this. They burned out huge areas of forest, at a time when their fields were depleted, and then the forests were used for crops. Over time, the island was practically left without forest, and one rather serious problem arose, which caused soil erosion. For those who wish, it can be organized. Look at here.

About 100 km from the main city of Iceland is a valley of geysers called Haukadalur, famous throughout the world. A large number of tourists constantly flock to this place. Already in the direction of the valley, a most unique sight appears - this is white steam, now creeping, now leveling along the ground, now bursting upward. It was because of this spectacle that the main city of Iceland acquired its name. This can be explained by the fact that in 871. The Norwegian sailor Ingolfur Arnarson came to the coast of this island. And he wanted to call this area Reykjavik, which translated means “Smoking Harbor”.

Description of the geyser

Iceland's most famous geyser is the Great Geysir. The ancient inhabitants deified it, gave it the name Geysir, and then they began to call all similar natural phenomena all over the world that way.

It must be said that today this geyser has lost its former strength; at present, it practically no longer breaks through to the surface.

Quite often this is accomplished by the second geyser, which is called Strokkur, which translated from Icelandic means “Oil Tub.” It throws out a column of hot water and steam to a height of approximately 20-30 meters. This geyser erupts in 2-6 minutes, which is why it is currently more popular than Geysir. At times, Strokkur even erupts three times at once. The waters in the streams that flow from this geyser smell of sulfur.

However, these two giants are not the only geysers in this area. You can also find small geysers in the valley, some of them can throw fountains of hot water to a small height, some simply splash water, and some of them look like seething or bubbling puddles.

And in this case, you should not assume that they are completely harmless to humans. It is not recommended to go very close to the edge, because if you suddenly find yourself in a geyser, you can simply be boiled alive. This can sometimes happen to careless horses, cows, and other livestock. Instead of this, you have the opportunity to go swimming to other geysers, where their water is not so hot.

Looking at geysers from a scientific point of view, they can only be found where there are volcanoes and these geysers are a manifestation of volcanic activity.