Geyser (Geysir)
Description
Until 1916, Geysir, located 125km (78 miles) northeast of Reykjavik, was one of the world’s great geysers, spouting boiling water and steam 60-80m (165-220ft) into the air at three-hourly intervals. Mysteriously, it fell dormant (some say due to hundreds of tourists filling its chamber with objects) and has come to life only once since then, in 1935. The smaller Strokkur geyser nearby makes up for its big brother’s silence by erupting every five to ten minutes. The entire area is a geothermal park, with belching mud pits, hissing steam vents, hot and cold springs, warm streams and primitive plants. The Geysir Center offers visitors year-round exhibitions on geothermal activity, and also contains a folk museum with displays on the history of the area and Icelandic flora and fauna.
Transportation
Air: Reykjavik Keflavik Airport. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: Ring road 1, then left near Selfoss to Road 35.
Contact Addresses
Gesyir Center, 8001 Selfoss, Iceland Tel: 486 8915 Website: www.geysircenter.is
Iceland - Map
|