HOT SPRINGS IN ICELAND
Top : Iceland ’ s famous Blue Lagoon ; bottom : Hrunalaug , a beautiful natural hot spring in the village of Fludir .
TOP : WENILIOU / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM ; RIGHT : ZEDSPIDER / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
With its lush rolling hills , snowcapped mountaintops , jagged cliffsides and active volcanoes , Iceland ’ s placement on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge has resulted in some spectacular scenery . And in addition to a plethora of natural landscapes , Iceland also enjoys a variety of geothermal activity , a phenomenon in which heat from inside the earth is transferred to the surface in the form of lava flows , geysers , fumaroles , mud pots and hot springs .
And while all the geothermal formations listed above can be observed in the Land of Fire and Ice , one has played a particularly important role in shaping the country ’ s history , culture and tourism industry : the hot spring . Toasty and warm by ( natural ) design , Iceland is home to over 60 hot springs , many of which date back to the days of ancient Vikings and early settlers . Over the years , the region ’ s hot springs have played many roles with their waters acting as a gathering place for friends and families , a resource for cooking , cleaning and baking and now , a source of renewable energy for modern citizens . However , above all , they act as a source of pride for locals who share the magic of their warm pools of water and soft clouds of steam with all those who visit .
SUMMER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 35