Smell the sulphur springs

THINGS TO DO, ICELAND Updated : Jun 9, 2015, 05.08 PM IST

Savi and Vid

Savi and Vid have been to over 500 cities in 70 countries, following their love of offbeat and luxury travel. From hiking glaciers in Alaska to dining with Penguins in South Africa, their adventures and photographs have been featured on several TV stations and newspapers, including Discovery Channel and the Huffington Post. They are particularly in love with road trips and in the last year alone, they’ve driven over 20,000 miles in a dozen countries. They write about their experiences on www.bruisedpassports.com.

Credit: ThinkStock Photos

There are parts of Iceland that seem to belong to a different planet. Here mud and sulphur springs keep bubbling and releasing steam. A strong and unpleasant smell of chemicals pervades the air. You definitely need to put Iceland’s sulphur springs on your itinerary if only to marvel at the multi-faceted character of Mother Earth. Namaskard Pass is one of the first locations that come to mind while talking about sulphur springs in Iceland. This volcanic area used to be a sulphur mining location. The Seltún Geothermal Area and Krafla Volcanic Area are similar. Here volcanic heat has resulted in the formation of thermal springs, steam vents, mud pots, and fumaroles. Both areas are dotted with mud and sulphur springs, which can get extremely hot. This explains why a number of springs are fenced in these areas. Even if there are no fences, make sure you observe these formations from a distance. They can cause burns if you venture too close. The energy generated in these areas is converted to power in Iceland’s innovative geothermal plants.
Liked this article? Let your friends know about it