The Mid-Atlantic Ridge cuts Iceland into two parts that are drifting away from each other at a rate of 2 cm per year. Geothermal areas in Iceland are divided into high and low temperature depending on the nature of the geothermal system. The high-temperature areas are within the volcanic zone and the low-temperature ones outside. Geysir is a high-temperature geothermal area with a base temperature of around 250° C / 482° F.
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The Geysir geothermal area is approximately 3 km2 at the surface. Temperatures of the hot springs are up to 100° C / 212° F and care is needed when inspecting them.
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Geysir geyser
The only word of Icelandic that has come into common world-wide use is “geyser,” which comes from the name of a major geyser: Geysir. Geysir is no longer a frequent erupter. It erupts after earthquakes; its last eruption periods were 1896–1930 and 2000, when it erupted every 4–8 min. and reached 70–80 meters.
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Strokkur
Strokkur has regular eruptions every 8–10 min. that reach 25–35 meters.
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The walk out
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