Geysir Geothermal Area

Geysir Geothermal Area

The Geysir geothermal area is located in the northwest corner of the southern Icelandic plains, near the Haukadalur settlement in the southwestern part of Iceland, close to Ölfus. This region is a major geyser field, where boiling hot springs bubble up from the ground, enveloped in steam and mist. There are many thermal features to explore, including geysers, colorful pools, fumaroles, and more. Among them, the Great Geysir—also known as Geysir—is the most famous. It holds the record for the highest water spout among all geysers and hot springs in Iceland, making it one of the most renowned geysers in the world.

Visitors can witness the entire eruption process from the vent. Especially just before an eruption, boiling water bursts forth forming a bowl-like shape, then the central column of water transforms into steam shooting straight up to about 20 meters high. The Great Geysir is roughly an 18-meter-wide circular pool, with a vent in the center—a “cave” about 10 centimeters in diameter—where the water temperature reaches over 100 degrees Celsius. Each time the geyser erupts, a deep rumbling sound can be heard from within the vent. Gradually, the noise intensifies, and the boiling water begins to surge upwards until it finally bursts out of the hole and shoots high into the air. The central column of water turns into steam, soaring approximately 20 meters into the sky before falling back down like scattered pearls and jade. Each eruption lasts around 1–2 minutes before gradually subsiding. This spectacular cycle repeats continuously.