Geysers of Iceland: history and description

The small island state of the northern part of the Atlantic, called the Land of Ice, has become a real "Mecca" of tourist pilgrimage, despite the rather tough, far from beach climatic conditions.

The mystery of Iceland's popularity with tourists

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

What is the mystery of the increased interest in this island? What is its uniqueness? After all, Iceland is only a small distance from the Arctic Circle, a dull and monotonous zone of permafrost. Indeed, the vegetation on the island is rather scarce, at times simply an ascetic, subarctic climate, partly mitigated by the warm Gulf Stream. It would seem that here to look?

Meanwhile, the number of guests of this northern island is growing every year, turning into a serious test of strength for a country with a little more than 300,000 people, who make up the local population.

Iceland is a country of geysers, glaciers and volcanoes

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

Geysers of Iceland are one of the main attractions of this small state. Already a hundred kilometers from Reykjavik (the capital of Iceland), before the traveler, all the splendor and grandeur of the valley of the Haukadalur geysers opens. To see in the photo the geysers of Iceland and to step into the valley itself is by no means the same thing.

A representation arranged by nature itself

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

The clubs of white, steaming on the ground, resemble a variety show, when white clouds of smoke spread out on the scene, foreshadowing something interesting and exciting, which will happen there very soon. And according to the laws of the genre, as in all the shows created by man, intrigue has its continuation in the valley of geysers. Because of the veil, the steam escapes from under the earth and powerful geysers rush up to the sky - the show begins. More precisely, it continues. And day and night, winter and summer - always. Endless theatrical performance, different from the man-made productions of its scale, grandeur, richness of colors and decorations.

The history of the origin of the capital of Iceland

Thanks to this spectacle, the capital of Iceland got its name Reykjavik - according to some sources, in the translation meaning "smoking harbor", "smoky bay", "gulf of smoke". This place was first named by the Norwegian navigator Arnarson (9th century) when he landed with his squad on the shore of the island for settlement. Subsequently, he invited other representatives of Norwegian noble families to join him and his squads, in constant conflict with the jarl in Norway.

Haukadalur Valley

The popularity and popularity of the Haukadalur valley is due to a large number of large geysers, one of which is capable of climbing up to 60 meters in height. Fantastic sight.

In addition to large bubbling geysers, in the valley you can find a lot of hot springs. They are also able to interest their diversity: some gush, some are like boiling and boiling puddles. There are also those that are very similar to the watering house sprayer spraying jets of water on the beds. With one difference. The water of the geysers is not harmless, it is boiling and can cause severe skin burns. A persistent characteristic smell of sulfur indicates that this drink is not suitable for drinking.

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

Great, or Great, geyser of Iceland

In the valley of the geysers of Iceland there is the oldest and most famous in the world bubbling geyser - the Great Geyser of Iceland, discovered in the 13th century. Chronicles tell us that his strength and power were so great that far away around the land the earth "trembled and walked along stiltedly" with another eruption. The ancestors of modern Icelanders deified him, and they named him Geisir. This name was subsequently applied to all similar phenomena of nature - geysers.

In the 19th century, the powerful Geisir ceased his activity. Many believed that the geyser ended its existence. But a strong earthquake once led Geisir out of hibernation. The geyser once again earned, however, not much was left of the former power and splendor. The great geyser temporarily ceases its activity, "resting" for several days and even months. It is considered a great success to see him in action. In a state of activity, Geisir erupts several times a day, and its poles can reach 50-60 meters, which leaves behind him the title of the Great. His "brethren" - geysers of Iceland, of course, can not boast of such power. The second largest geyser in the Haukadalur valley is Strokkur, which emits hot water and steam poles only for 20-30 meters.

Geyser Strokkur

To be second is also an honor. Especially when you consider that Strokkur eruptions occur every five minutes (on average). And to visit the valley of geysers, without seeing the bright spectacle of this miracle of nature, it is simply impossible. Strokkur in the translation from Icelandic means "churn", "oil churn". This bubbling geyser has become much more popular with tourists than the more ancient and powerful Geisir. Strokkur eruptions can not be foreseen. The official part of speech is always applicable to them - the union "or". A geyser can perform one, two, even three consecutive eruptions at a time, the eruption frequency is also different. He is able to show himself every 2-3 minutes, and can signify his presence in 5-6 minutes. These values alternate chaotically, which adds uniqueness.

Combination of incongruous

It is this term that can be applied to the island of Iceland. Volcanoes and geysers, sliding glaciers are in a strikingly close neighborhood, astonishing their brains of tourists. Although there is nothing surprising in this. Geysers all over the world are found in areas of high seismic activity, in places where there are volcanoes. Icelandic geysers testify to the ongoing process of volcanic activity.

From the history of Icelandic geysers

Geysers of Iceland have their own history. The approximate age of the valley of the Haukadalur geysers (according to various sources) is about ten thousand years. The massive appearance of geysers is associated with strong earthquakes in this geographic region, dating back to 1294. It is with earthquakes that all the significant events and changes in the Haukadalur Valley are connected:

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

Enumerate all the changes can be infinitely long - they occur regularly and even not always noticeable in the review. This place is the island of Iceland. Mysterious and unpredictable. A visit is always worth it, if you have the opportunity to see this miraculous miracle.