Iceland, a breathtaking experience

Geysir is the oldest known geyser and one of the world’s most impressive examples of the phenomenon. Eruptions at Geysir can hurl boiling water up to 60 metres in the air. However, eruptions may be infrequent, and have in the past stopped altogether for years at a time.

Geysir is one of the main attractions on Iceland´s most popular sightseeing tour; the Golden Circle. All of the world's spouting hot springs are named after the Geysir in Iceland – so in all languages other than Icelandic, the word “geysir” or “geyser” is the name of the phenomenon while in Icelandic it´s just the name of that single geyser. Even though the word refers to all geysers in general, there is only one real Geysir and thats the one in south west Iceland.

The geothermal area which is named after the famous Great Geysir is a high temperature geothermal area. This term is used over geothermal systems that are within the zone of active rifting and volcanism, and the temperature in the subsurface system is higher than 200°C at less than 1 km depth. The temperature of the hot springs is up to 100°C and some are constantly boiling - if the temperature at depth rises above boiling the hot springs erupt which means that they are geysers. Geysir’s eruption occurs when boiling water within the geyser, trapped by cooler water above it, explodes, forcing its way to the surface. In more detail, geysers erupt because the thermal water ascending throuh their channels boils at some depth below the surface. As the water boils it converts into steam, and as the steam occupies far greater volume than water the water above in the channel is thrown high up into the air. At about 23 m depth in the Geysir pipe the water is at 120°C temperature. It is in equilibrium with the pressuere of the water above in the pipe, i.e. the weight of the water above keeps the boiling down. At a depth of around 16 m, the temperature of the water sometimes rises above boiling, seen as increased turbulence at the surface. This turbulence (boiling) can increase to the point where the water above in the pipe is lifted slightly, and a chain reaction starts - the pressure decreases making further boiling possible and the water flashes into steam, resulting in an eruption in Geysir. The boiling now extends down into the pipe, throwing more water into the air. When all the water in the pipe has been thrown away the water coming from depth changes immediately into steam and a steam eruption follows the water eruption, whith accompanying noise. The water-phase lasts for few minutes and the steam-phase considerably longer, graduately dying out and the cycle starts again.

Gullfoss (The Golden waterfall) is Iceland's most famous waterfall, and one of the natural wonders of the world.Gullfoss is also by far Europe’s most powerful waterfall. On a sunlit day, the mist clouds surrounding the hammering falls are filled with dozens of rainbows, providing an unparalleled spectacle of color and motion.

Surprisingly, at one time the government planned to supplant the falls with a large hydroelectric power plant, but a nearby farmer’s daughter underwent a pilgrimage on foot to Reykjavik, where she demanded that unless the plant was stopped, she would cast herself over the falls. After the nation overwhelmingly came out in her favor, plans were halted and the government purchased the land for a national park.

The ancient seat of the Icelandic bishops, Skalholt, was the centre of ecclesiastic- and worldly power, culture, and education for centuries. The first of 32 catholic bishops took his seat there in 1056 and in the wake of the reformation in 1540 13 Lutheran bishops sat there until 1801, when the seat was moved to the capital. The country became one see again in 1798. The northern see was established in 1106.

The Cathedral has some beautiful stained glass windows and an altarpiece of Jesus, made by two Icelandic women. The windows are a gift from Danish merchants and are made by one of our female artists, Gerður Helgadóttir. The mosaic altarpiece is made by another of our female artists, Nína Tryggvadóttir. The windows show the story of the salvation. When the sun shines directly through the stained glass windows the interiors of the cathedral turn into a magical multi-coloured wonderland. Even the altarpiece of Jesus reflects the colours of the windows, making it even more beautiful.

Crater lakes covering active (fumarolic) volcanic vents are often known as volcanic lakes, and the water within them is typically acidic, saturated with volcanic gases, and cloudy with a strong greenish color. Lakes located in dormant or extinct volcanoes tend to have fresh water, and the water clarity in such lakes is often exceptional due to the lack of inflowing streams and sediment.

Skogar is the common name for two farms, a school and the open air, communications and folk museum. The population just 25 inhabitants. The Eyjafjallajökull volcano was erupted in april 2010 and many pictures like mine from the same point got around the world. The eruption was declared officially over in October 2010, when snow on the glacier did not melt. From 14–20 April, ash from the volcanic eruption covered large areas of Northern Europe. About 20 countries closed their airspace to commercial jet traffic and it affected approximately 10 million travellers.

Waterfall Skogafoss is 60 m high and counted among the most beautiful of the country. At least 20 more waterfalls cascade down the mountain slopes above the Skogafoss and it is easy to walk along the river to see them. The first settler at Skogar was Thrasi Thorolfsson. He was a learned man and his character was antiquated. He is said to have hidden a chest filled with gold coins in a cave behind the waterfall. On fine days, when the sun is shining, people say that his gold is glittering through the water. Many have tried to find the chest and once a young man succeeded. He tied a rope to its ring and pulled. He only retrieved the ring, which was later used for the church door at Skogar. Now it is one of the prides of the Skogar Museum.

Sylvia, my daughter, couldn't find the hidden chest behind the rainbow.

The museum was opened in 1949 and its first permanent building was built in 1954-55. It was enlarged in 1989-1994 and now has an area of 600 m². The museum has been the responsibility of one man, Thordur Tomasson (28/4 1921). He started the collection of the artefacts and houses of the open-air museum and has not stopped yet.

Some typical local farmhouses can be visited in and outside at the Skogar open-air museum - a must for every visitor.

One room and seats for six pupils.

Near Selfoss