The Blue Lagoon is a hot spring, one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. Its pool was formed due to volcanic activity. Therefore, water is constantly heated in the lower geological layers.
However, the Blue Lagoon is a hot spring not quite natural. Water here is a waste product from a nearby geothermal power plant that uses heated water and transfers cooled water to the pool. Its temperature is forty degrees Celsius on average. Below this limit, it practically does not fall even in the coldest winters. The lake is located thirty-nine kilometers from Reykjavik.
Blue Lagoon - a hot spring, known throughout the world
So, more details. The Blue Lagoon is a hot spring, one of Iceland 's most popular attractions. Each year, the thermal complex is visited by about three hundred thousand people. The city of Grindavik, in whose territory the source is located, is precisely what is primarily known for this. The warm waters of azure, pale blue and milky shades have various healing properties due to the many minerals. The width of the reservoir is about two hundred meters, the length is about two kilometers, the depth is from one to three meters.
Natural features
The Blue Lagoon is a hot spring located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, formed mainly from porous lava. Sea water seeps through its small cracks and heats up very quickly, in contact with igneous rocks. Deep underground, natural reservoirs fill up. This geothermal fluid can heat up to about two hundred and forty degrees Celsius.
Man-made pool
In general, the Blue Lagoon is a hot spring in Iceland created by human hands. Water comes here from the nearby Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station. It is updated every two days. If previously anyone could swim in geothermal springs absolutely free, then today the situation has changed. Blame it - frequent cases of burns. The pool area is now fenced, and the water temperature is regulated.
The area on which this famous landmark is located belongs to one of the high-temperature regions of the country with powerful geothermal activity. It lies at the junction of Eurasian and American tectonic plates. In order to rationally use natural resources for the benefit of the people of the territories nearby, a power plant was built in 1976. To extract geothermal fluid, an energy company drills wells in underground reservoirs up to two thousand meters deep. Hot water is directed from the bowels of the earth to its surface, after which it is used to start turbines that generate electricity. Thus, this unique power plant does two things at the same time. It produces not only electricity, but also hot water, intended for centralized water supply. This is her main task. After its completion, water enters these famous pools.
A bit of history
People learned about the alleged healing properties of this water in 1981. At this moment, they began to take hot baths here. In 1992, the Blue Lagoon geothermal complex was opened for everyone. Hot spring - the lake is incredibly popular today. For several years, the center also has a special development and research center. His work focuses on the creation of spa services and various products to help in the treatment of all kinds of skin diseases. For this, water enriched with minerals is used.
Healing properties
Thus, the Blue Lagoon is a hot spring, the rest of which brings considerable benefits. Two third of the complex consists of sea water. The rest is freshwater. The “cocktail” of the spring includes silicon, mineral salts and blue-green algae. They contribute to the treatment of many skin diseases, including psoriasis. Thanks to local healing mud, the skin is deeply cleansed and healed. Algae perfectly softens and nourishes it.
Not only useful, but also beautiful
Browse any travel directory. The Blue Lagoon is a hot spring, photos of which are simply mesmerized by its beauty. As soon as the water temperature in the pool drops to thirty-seven degrees Celsius, the saturation of silicon in its composition increases incredibly. This contributes to the formation of white mass, familiar to visitors to the spa complex. Gruel fills small cracks in lava formations. Accordingly, the Blue Lagoon gets the opportunity to expand all the time. Thanks to the same silicon, the pond itself is painted in a special way. Light rays refract its molecules, thereby providing the water with a bluish color. Under such conditions, living organisms cannot live. This ensures crystal clear water - all kinds of harmful bacteria are absent here.
Around the reservoir for several kilometers are lifeless frozen black lava flows. Together with the bluish waters of the pool, they create a simply magnificent picture. In a word, the views are truly magical.
Rest on the territory
And finally. The Blue Lagoon receives many positive reviews. A hot spring vacation on the lake provides with all amenities and benefits. The spa complex offers its visitors a clinic, restaurants, a shop, a cafe, a relaxation area with the hotel with the same name for fifteen places. Here everyone can find entertainment to their liking. Someone prefers to swim in the pool and relax in the jacuzzi with geothermal water. Someone enjoys a massage. Someone is enjoying cosmetic procedures for face and body care. The complex provides various wellness programs lasting from one to several days.
The spa is open for visits every day for a whole year from morning to late evening, and in July-August - even until nightfall. Although there are changes in the schedule, for example, during the New Year and Christmas holidays. Operating hours, respectively, must be specified in advance.
Entrance fees to this resort also fluctuate. Adults will spend thirty to forty euros depending on the period. Adolescents and people with disabilities will need fifteen euros. Children under 13 years old can use the spa for free, accompanied by adults.
The center is located about twenty kilometers from Keflavik Airport. The journey to the Blue Lagoon takes about twenty minutes from there. Several times a day shuttle buses run here. In addition, local tour operators regularly organize trips to the thermal complex.
In a word, the Blue Lagoon is a great place for a good vacation. You can rest assured that you will spend your free time here with great pleasure. Be sure - you will not regret it!