Iceland

1 Oct 2010 – En route to Columbia, SC via Stormy NYC

Thu: The Bláa lónið/Blue Lagoon is located 20 minutes drive from Keflavík International Airport. Just to submerge here for half hour is worth the trip. Wished I had a few more days. This geothermal spa is really doing a world of good for me. If only I knew earlier that there will be a delay with the flight, would have stayed longer… and also remember to take my camera! Blue Lagoon pix are credits to wikipedia!

The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur. The lagoon is fed by the water output of the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi and is renewed every 2 days. Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal hot water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.