Geysir & Strokkur

The Geothermal Area Haukadalur

The word "Geysir" actually comes from Icelandic — the Great Geysir in the Haukadalur valley is the namesake of all geysers in the world. It first erupted in the 13th century and shot water up to 70 meters high. The eruptions were a wonder that attracted travelers from all over Europe for centuries. Today, it is largely inactive (last major eruption: 2000) — only occasionally bubbling melancholically.

The Geology Behind It

How does a geyser work? Deep beneath the surface, volcanic magma heats the groundwater. The hot water rises through a narrow channel. At the bottom, the pressure is so high that the water does not boil despite temperatures above 100°C. When the pressure reaches a critical point, the superheated water shoots explosively upwards — a steam explosion that occurs at Strokkur every 5–10 minutes. The phenomenon is rare worldwide: Of an estimated 1,000 geysers on Earth, only a few hundred are regularly active.

Strokkur — The Star

The real star is Geysir's neighbor: The Strokkur ("the churn") erupts every 5–10 minutes reliably, shooting a fountain of boiling water 15–30 meters high. The moment is magical every time: The water surface in the opening begins to pulse, bulges into a turquoise bubble — and then the fountain explodes with a mighty hiss into the sky. The best moment for photos is the split second when the bubble forms — turquoise and perfectly round.

Photo Tip: Stand on the south side (the side away from the parking lot) — there are fewer people, and you have the mountains in the background. Activate burst mode when the bubble bulges. Or: Shoot a video and extract the best single frame.

Exploring the Geothermal Area

Around the geysers stretches a steaming geothermal field with bubbling mud pots, hot springs in all colors (turquoise, orange, brown), and sulfur-yellow deposits. A circular path (20–30 min) leads past all the highlights:

• Blesi: Two hot springs directly next to each other — one milky-turquoise (the silica reflects the light), the other clear and steaming
• Litli Geysir: A small, gently bubbling geyser with a beautiful turquoise color
• Smiður: A deep blue, bubbling spring in a natural basin
• Konungshver: The "King's Spring," one of the hottest and most colorful in the area

The smell of sulfur (rotten eggs) is part of it — it is caused by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) rising from the Earth's interior.

At the entrance, there is a visitor center with a café, restaurant, and souvenir shop. The café offers surprisingly good soups and sandwiches. The Geysir Center opposite offers a small exhibition on geothermal energy and an upscale shop with Icelandic design.