Blue Lagoon of Iceland

Blue Lagoon in Iceland is truly a one-of-a-kind. Situated in the middle of a large lava field and created by geothermal seawater. The hot water comes from holes as deep as 2000 meters/6000 feet and is used to fill the natural spa with warm and comfortable water but is also used for powering the nearby natural energy station. Blue Lagoon geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of a lava formation. The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland. It is situated approximately 13km (8 miles) from the Keflavik International Airport and 39km (24 miles) from the capital city of Reykjavik. That is roughly a 20 minute drive from the airport and a 40 minute drive from Reykjavik. The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37–39 °C (98–102 °F). The Blue Lagoon also operates a Research and Development facility to help find cures for other skin ailments using the mineral-rich water. 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. Iceland has a strict code of hygiene and guests are required to shower without clothing in the communal shower area before and after bathing. It is claimed that in June 2007 the Blue Lagoon appeared green, bewildering both residents and tourists of Iceland. The silica mud is everywhere and works wonders for your skin... The water is loaded with minerals that fall out and make the strange white coating you can see on the rough lava rocks. The ingredients are silica mud, mineral salts as well as the blue green algae that gives the Blue Lagoon its color.