On our last full day in Iceland we were given a choice between swimming in 4^oC water or 40^oC water. Adrian chose the former, and headed out to swim in the glacial melt between two tectonic plates in a scuba drysuit. I chose the later, and spent the day in the thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon Spa. Only in Iceland would they think of converting the effluent from a geothermal power plant into a place of relaxation and luxury.

Photo from bartpogoda

As Iceland straddles two tectonic plates, a mixture of sea water and glacial melt comes into contact with volcanic magma, which is then heated and quickly rises towards the surface. The Hitaveita Suðurnesja geothermal power plant opened in 1976, when they drilled 2000 meters to reach 243^oC fluid. Some of this fluid is passed underneath homes and roads to provide heading for 17 000 people. The rest of the fluid is used to drive steam turbines to provide electricity for 45 000 people.

This fluid is then cooled to 37-39^oC water and pumped into a 6 000 000 litre lagoon that is renewed every 40 hours. This fluid contains dissolved primary rocks from the interior mantel of the Earth. It contains 251 mg/kg silica, 7.643 mg/kg sodium, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbon dioxide, sulphate, chlorine, and fluorine. There are also unique filamentous and coccoid blue green algae that flourish in the warm salty water, giving the lagoon its eerie blue appearance.

The end result is extraordinary – pale blue milky water within jagged jet black lava rocks. The silica in the water coats all the rocks to smooth everything with a while glassy surface. They have buckets of silica mud for DIY facials, as well as a hot waterfall, steam rooms set into a lava cave and a white silica room, a sauna, and shallow areas filled with mud. One can also take a break from the baths and enjoy a light snack while wrapped up in a white robe looking out across the steaming water. I spent the day moving from one thermal activity to another, and left the Blue Lagoon warm to the core, completely relaxed and with glowing skin.

Photo from gudmunda