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Krýsuvík is a geothermal area, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in south-west Iceland.
Geothermal activity at Krýsuvík
The Krýsuvík Geothermal Area is defined by mud pots, hot springs and steaming vents, as well as the multi-coloured mineral deposits that stain the earth. The reason for so much geothermal activity here is because of Iceland’s tectonic plates.
The Mid-Atlantic Rift runs all the way through Iceland; the western part of the country, including Reykjavík, the Snӕfellsnes Peninsula and the Westfjords, are all on the North American tectonic plate, while the east, including the East Fjords and Vatnajökull National Park, are on the Eurasian plate.
This rift runs right across the Reykjanes Peninsula, and has dramatic consequences on the landscapes. As these plates pull apart, magma is brought close to the surface of the earth, causing groundwater to boil and create geothermal areas.
Krýsuvík, in fact, is not the only geothermal area on the peninsula; there is another called Gunnuhver, and a hot spring beneath the lake of Kleifarvatn.
These plates pulling apart make the Reykjanes Peninsula susceptible to earthquakes; it is also lined with cone-shaped volcanoes, and coated in lava rock, revealing a long volcanic history.
Exploring Krýsuvík
What makes Krýsuvík most unique as a geothermal area is that it has been excellently prepared for visitors.
Walkways take you safely across the uneven earth to the different features of the area, and there are many signs that have been erected to explain the geothermal and geological forces at work.
There is also a carpark right beside Krýsuvík for the convenience of drivers.
As the geothermal area is right in the middle of the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is recommended to visit it alongside other sites.
These include Brimketill, an oceanside ‘pool’ that was once said to be the bathing place of a troll; the bird-watching cliffs of Krýsuvíkurbjarg; the aforementioned lake Kleifarvatn; and the ‘Bridge between the Continents’.
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo Credit: ThinkGeoEnergy
Hellisheiði is a lava plateau east of Reykavík, approximately 380 metres (1,247 feet) high.
Iceland's main highway, Route 1 passes through it, leading east. The latest and most distinctive lava field here is Kristnitökuhraun, formed in the year 1000.
Geothermal Activity at Hellisheiði
The area is has a high amount of geothermal activity, as can be seen in nearby hot springs. The best example, however, can be found at the Hellisheiði geothermal power station.
This is the third largest power station in the world. It provides south and west Iceland, including Reykjavík, with hot water, and the energy is also harnessed for electricity (although most of this in Iceland comes from dams).
The Hellisheiði power station has an interactive educational centre. It allows guests to tour it, and learn all about Iceland’s environmentally friendly means of energy and heat production. The exhibitions are fascinating for adults and children alike.
What to do at Hellisheiði
On the way through Hellisheiði one can see many of Iceland’s beautiful landmarks. The most notable of these are the dramatic surrounding mountains, the main ones being Bláfjoll (the Blue Mountains) to the south and Mt. Hengill to the north.
From the highest point of the plateau one may view volcanoes Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla, along with the Westman Islands.
Eyjafjallajökull was the glacier covered volcano that erupted in 2010, causing widespread problems across Europe with air travel. It also flabbergasted newsreaders everywhere as they tried to pronounce it correctly (most settled on ‘E11’).
Hekla is another notorious volcano, having erupted many times throughout Iceland’s history.
Looking to the Westman Islands, you will see more reminders of Iceland’s volcanic history. In the centre of the largest island, Heimaey, is the crater of the Eldfell.
This volcano went off without warning in the middle of town in 1973. It created Iceland’s newest island, also visible just off shore, called Surtsey.
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Reykholt
The Blue Mountains, otherwise known as Bláfjöll, are a beautiful mountain range in the south-west of Iceland. They hold some of the most popular skiing slopes in Iceland, and well as the potential for other activities such as caving and hiking.
The Blue Mountains are located around 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Reykjavík, by the lava plateau of Hellisheiði.
Geology of the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains partially cover the Mid Atlantic Rift, which runs through Iceland. The very regular earthquakes and sporadic eruptions, therefore, are explained the high level of geological and geothermal activity that this rift creates.
Most of the mountains are now dormant, not having erupted since the last Ice Age, but not all.
Due to their formation, the Blue Mountains are composed of tuff rock.
Activities in the Blue Mountains
As mentioned, the Blue Mountains has some of the most popular slopes in Iceland. Being so accessible from Reykjavík, just a twenty five minute drive away, the region draws those who love to ski and snowboard from the beginning of February to the end of April.
Due to these opening dates, winter sports have become somewhat of an Easter tradition for many of those living in the capital.
The resort here is the largest in Iceland, and boasts 16 ski lifts, and 15 kilometres (nine miles) of slopes. Equipment can be rented on site, and there are regular lessons taught for newcomers. Regardless of if you are a novice or expert, there are slopes for all abilities.
Cross country skiing is also very popular in the area, but should only be done by those experienced, or with a trained guide. Some snowmobilers also make the most of the opportunities the mountain provides.
Other areas for skiing in Iceland include Akureyri and Skaftafell Nature Reserve.
A popular activity that can be enjoyed in the Blue Mountains throughout the year, however, is lava caving. Due to the the volcanism of the area, the plateaus around the mountains are composed of many layers of lava rock.
When this lava first cooled, it did so from the outside in, leaving running magma beneath it. If this magma had a place to flow out to, it would form a lava cave.
Leiðarendi is a beautiful tunnel, formed in a kind of ring that allows visitors to fully explore it. Trips to Iceland’s lava caves provide wonderful opportunities to learn about the nation’s geology, history of bandits, and folklore, particularly the tolls.
This lava tube also demonstrates the volcanism of the Blue Mountains. It was, in fact, created by two seperate eruptions, one two thousand years ago and one a thousand years ago. The lava tunnels formed in each collapsed together at what is now the entrance of the cave.
Much of the area around this cave and much of the Blue Mountains is covered in a delicate moss, that creeps over the lava. When visiting any area with this unique flora, such as hiking trails through the mountains, be careful not to step on it as it is remarkably delicate
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Hafnarfjörður is Iceland’s third most populous city, and located in the Greater Reykjavík Area. It has a population of 28,200, and is located to Reykjavík’s South.
Economy of Hafnarfjörður
Populated in the 14th Century at the latest, Hafnarfjörður was primarily a fishing and trading port in its origins, due to its excellent harbour and the fertile waters of Faxaflói Bay. While these industries are still going strong, Hafnafjörður has competing economies in tourism and heavy industry.
Tourism flourishes in Hafnarfjörður due to its proximity to Keflavík International Airport, the Blue Lagoon, the Reykjanes Peninsula and Reykjavík, as well as its natural beauty along its coast, and its wealth of services. Many tour operators will pick guests up from Hafnarfjörður, so if you would prefer to be away from the bustle of the capital, it is a great location to base yourself.
Hafnarfjörður also has a wealth of folklore that draws guests, no doubt due to the strange lava formations found in and around the town. These rocks are, according to Icelandic legend, the homes of the Hidden Folk, a mysterious elven people known for their mysterious, ethereal and often evil behaviour.
For such an urban centre, a surprising amount of locals still believe in the hidden folk. For this reason, people from Hafnarfjörður are often used as the butt of jokes by other Icelanders, in the same fashion of a ‘blonde joke’ in English. Of course, these jokes are not usually appreciated by those from Hafnarfjörður, who boast high levels of literacy and education.
The heavy industry in Hafnarfjörður revolves around its controversial aluminium smelter. While Iceland does not have its own deposits of aluminium, it has huge amounts of geothermal activity beneath its surface, making the processing of it incredibly cost-effective.
It was built to protests in 1969, and continues to face them today, for polluting the surrounding environment with fluoride, sullying Iceland’s environmental reputation, and being a general eyesore. Locals voted against its extension in 2006.
That being said, it is a large local employer and has brought prosperity to the city.
History of Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður has a history dating back to the 14th Century, where it is mentioned in early Icelandic literature. It was the site of the nation’s first Lutheran church, raised in 1553, and Lutheranism continues to be, by an enormous margin, the country’s dominant religion.
During the Danish Mononpoly, a period in which Iceland’s ruler, Denmark, controlled all the country’s trade, Hafnarfjörður was its busiest port. It was thus one of the earliest cities to get a town charter, in 1908.
As such a major trading port, Hafnarfjörður has seen some unusual milestones for the country, such as the arrival of its first car in 1913.
Culture in Hafnarfjörður
Hafnarfjörður is often called the “rock ‘n’ roll capital” of Iceland, as many of Iceland’s most popular rock bands can trace their roots here, such as HAM, Sign, Jet Black Joe, Jakobinarina and Ulpa.
Grindavík is a fishing town on the southern side of Reykjanes Peninsula. It has a population of approximately 3,300 people.
Industry and Culture at Grindavík
Most inhabitants of Grindavík have always and continue to work in fisheries. Due to its long history with the seas, the town has a museum called the Icelandic Saltfish Museum.
Saltfish was essential to Icelandic survival throughout the country’s difficult past, particularly considering the volatility of the climate, and this museum discusses its production and how it helped.
Sports are popular in the town, and it has a sports club and stadium as a result. Footballer Alfreð Finnbogason was born here.
Like many places in Iceland, Grindavík also has a long history with writers. Guðbergur Bergsson was born here, and Spanish writer Jaime Salinas Bonmatí lived and died here.
What to do at Grindavík?
Grindavík is best known for being five kilometres (three miles) from the world-famous Blue Lagoon Spa and Hotel.
Grindavík’s location on the Reykjanes Peninsula means this is but one of many sites that can be visited when in the area.
The town is also close to ‘the Bridge Between the Continents’, where visitors can learn about the Mid Atlantic Rift that runs through Iceland.
It is also near to many natural geothermal areas, such as Krýsuvík and Gunnuhver. Though bathing is absolutely impossible here, they are still beautiful places to admire nature.
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Emstrur
Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, located in the south-west of Iceland. It covers an area of 9.1 square kilometres (3.5 square miles) and is one of Iceland's deepest lakes, reaching a depth of 97 metres (318 feet).
Geography of Kleifarvatn
Kleifarvatn is located in the centre of the Reykjanes Peninsula, near the Krýsuvík and Gunnhver geothermal areas. This region is renowned for its geothermal and geological activity; the landscape is covered in a thick layer of lava, which itself is topped by a haunting moss, and hot springs steam in many areas. A row of active volcanoes run along its length.
The peninsula, and Kleifarvatn itself, lies on the fissure zone of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Their movements, as they pull apart, are what cause this region to have so many eruptions and earthquakes.
An earthquake in 2000, in fact, occurred beneath Kleifarvatn, and drained it of over twenty percent of its surface area. It has since recovered, but not quite the same; the seismic event created hot springs in one corner of the lake.
The draining of Kleifarvatn inspired the Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason to write a novel, titled after the lake. In the crime-fiction, the receding waters uncover a body long hidden beneath the surface, and the story follows how she died, and at whose hand. The name of the translation is ‘the Draining Lake’.
Kleifarvatn is not fed by any rivers; all the water coming in and out of it comes from the porous lava rock around it. In spite of this, it still has a high fish population, and is popular amongst anglers.
Kleifarvatn folklore
According to folklore, a whale-like monster lives in Kleifarvatn, akin to the Loch Ness Monster. It is one of two beasts of cryptozoology in Icelandic tales; the other regards a serpent in the eastern lake of Lagarfjlót.
Activities in Kleifarvatn
Wikimedia, Creative Commons, photo by Balou46
Kleifarvatn is usually visited on sightseeing tours of the Reykjanes Peninsula. Recently, however, scuba diving tours have began in it. On these tours, divers can see the hot springs and feel the bubbles, while exploring the world between two tectonic plates.
The only other place this is possible is Silfra ravine. The water here is a lot clearer, having visibility for up to a hundred metres, but it has much less life in it in Kleifarvatn.
The sightseeing tours visit an array of sights on the Peninsula beside Kleifarvatn. These include the aforementioned geothermal areas, a ‘bridge between the continents’, the Reykjanes lighthouse, and the many fishing villages that nestle in the lunar landscapes.
Some also include activities in the surrounding area, such as lava tubing in the nearby cave of Leiðarendi. Caving here provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the peninsula’s geological history and folklore.
Of course, no discussion of the Reykjanes Peninsula can be complete without a mention of the Blue Lagoon. This stunning resort is renowned the world over for its azure waters and silica masks, as well as its healing properties.
Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons. Photo by Stig Nygaard.
Mosfellsdalur is a valley, located approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) from Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík.
The valley of Mosfellsdalur is a lush and scenic lowland that, despite sitting very close to the capital, is often forgotten by the locals. The picturesque valley is the perfect countryside getaway, where travellers can enjoy golfing, horse riding, sightseeing or hiking.
Mosfellsdalur Viking Village
Additionally, a Viking Village is currently set to be constructed in Mosfellsdalur. The museum will include twenty reconstructed Viking Age buildings, as well as a farmstead, church and temple. The village will give visitors a glimpse into Iceland’s past. The project is being handled by the company Stórsaga.
Credit: Wikimedia, Creative Commons, Photo by G. Mannaerts
Grænavatn is a small lake on the Reykjanes Peninsula, known for its vivid colouration.
The name translates to ‘Green Lake’, and as it suggests, the lake is dyed a seafoam green due to the amount of sulphur in it, as well as its surprising depth of 45 metres (148 ft). The closer to the centre of the feature, the more intense the green.
Grænavatn is located close to the Krýsuvik geothermal area, the lake Kleifarvatn, and the rock formation Brimketill, making it a natural spot to visit on a tour of Reykjanes.
Seltún Geothermal Area is but one part of the much larger geothermal area, Krýsuvík, located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland.
Visitors to Seltún will be taken aback by how much the area resembles a lunar landscape. With red, somewhat otherworldly gravel and steaming vents, the site is dotted with bubbling pools of mud, fumaroles and hot springs. There are well-maintained wooden walkways around the springs from where you can observe, with several educational signs about the geothermal effects at work here.
The sediments brought up by such hots pools range in colour from red, orange and green, creating a dazzling kaleidoscopic effect on the ground and surrounding hills. The reason for this geothermal activity is because of Krýsuvík’s location in the middle of the fissure zone on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs right across the Reykjanes Peninsula.
This ridge is the reason the entire region is so barren, covered in jagged, moss-coated lava and lined with volcanoes. It is also responsible for the other main geothermal areas, at Kleifarvatn lake and the Gunnuhver mud pool. It is possible to cross the ridge - and walk from North America to Europe - at the Bridge Between the Continents, although it should be noted that this is a metaphorical crossing; the tectonic plates are several kilometres apart.
The best place to truly see the edges of the tectonic plates is at Þingvellir National Park, a site of the Golden Circle sightseeing route.
The German scientist, Robert Bunsen, proposed his thesis on the formation of sulphuric acid after visiting the Seltún geothermal field in 1845. His early work on photochemistry and organoarsenic chemistry paved the way for scholars after him, as did his principled positions on not taking out patents. As can be gathered from his name, he was one of the inventors of the Bunsen Burner.
The Seltún Geothermal Area is regularly visited on tours around the Reykjanes Peninsula, and can easily be driven to from Keflavík International Airport or Reykjavík in less than an hour.
Þrengslavegur is a road in Iceland that connects Route 1 to the towns along the southern coastline, whereas Þrengsli is a picturesque stream that runs along it.
These sites are often visited on Northern Lights tours due to the lack of buildings around here and thus the lack of light pollution. Those heading to the Westman Islands will also most likely travel down this route, as the ferries depart from Þórlakshöfn or Eyrarbakki. The nature here is largely of untouched lava fields, covered in moss in summer and snow in winter.
Þrengslavegur was built in the 1960s, as part of a larger infrastructure effort to better connect the nation.
