This vent must be lined with silica so that the boiling, rising water cannot escape before the eruption. From this basin, there must be a vent to the surface. Above the intense heat source, there must be space for the flowing water to gather like a reservoir. Meltwater from the glacier sinks into the surrounding porous lava rock, and travels underground in all directions.Įvidence of this flowing water can be found in Þingvellir National Park, where there are many freshwater springs flowing straight from the earth.įinally, you need a complex plumbing system that allows a geyser to erupt, rather than just steam from the ground like a fumarole. In the case of Strokkur, this comes from the second largest glacier in the country, Langjökull. Secondly, you will need a source of flowing underground water. Considering that Iceland is located on top of the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, this condition is met throughout most of the country. The first condition that is necessary is an intense heat source magma must be close enough to the surface of the earth for the rocks to be hot enough to boil water. They are thus only found in certain parts of highly geothermal areas. Science behind StrokkurĪctive geysers like Strokkur are rare around the world, due to the fact that many conditions must be met for them to form. Opposite the main geothermal area in Haukadalur Valley is a restaurant, cafe, hotel and luxury gift shop. The natural beauty of the area is shaped by the forces of the earth fumaroles, hot-springs, mud-pits and other little geysers are littered around, and the ground itself is dyed vividly by elements such as sulfur (yellow), copper (green) and iron (red). Haukadalur valley, however, has many other features that make it worth a visit. While Geysir will very occasionally still erupt to enormous heights, it is nowhere near reliable enough to justify the area’s popularity. Strokkur is the primary feature of the Haukadalur valley and the main reason why it is one of the most visited sites in the country. Strokkur erupts more regularly than Geysir ever did, blasting water to heights of around fifteen to twenty metres every five to ten minutes, although it is known to reach up to forty metres. It is the greatest active geyser on site Geysir itself is in a period of inactivity. Strokkur is found in the Geysir Geothermal Area, titled after the Great Geysir, which lent its name to all others across the world. Alternatively, book an organised Golden Circle tour. Those renting a car will be able to reach it independently with ease. This route is included in plenty of guided vacations and self-drive tours that travel around Iceland, such as this 6-Day Summer Package and this 10-Day Road Trip. One of the three major attractions on the world-famous Golden Circle sightseeing route, it is usually visited alongside Gullfoss Waterfall and Þingvellir National Park. Strokkur is Iceland’s most visited active geyser.
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