Natural wonder Europe
Great Geysir
Geysir is a famous hot spring in Iceland. It used to shoot hot water into the air. Geysers all over the world are named after it.
Geysir is a hot spring in the valley of Haukadalur in Iceland, and the word geyser comes from its name. People have written about it since the 13th century. Today it is mostly quiet: it was last known to erupt in 2016, while its neighbor Strokkur erupts every few minutes.
Geysir in Haukadalur, one of the world's best-known geysers, gave its name to geysers in many languages. Written records go back to the 13th century. Its activity has varied: earthquakes in South Iceland in 2000 revived it for a while, but it has been dormant since, with a last known eruption in 2016 (Environment Agency of Iceland). Bought by the Icelandic state in 2016, the area became a protected natural monument on 17 June 2020.
Photo: Alexander Grebenkov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Discover Geysir
Geysir is in Iceland.
It is a big, round pool of hot, steaming water. A geyser is a hot spring that sometimes shoots water up into the air. The word geyser comes from Geysir!
Geysir is a hot spring in the valley of Haukadalur in Iceland. It is one of the most famous geysers in the world, so famous that the word geyser in many languages comes from its name. Even the crust of rock that forms around hot springs is often called geyserite.
Geysir sits in a field full of hot springs and pools, close to the geyser Strokkur. A small mountain called Laugarfell (187 m) rises above it.
Geysir lies in Haukadalur, in a high-temperature geothermal area of about 3 km², of which the Geysir hot spring area itself is only a small part. The Environment Agency of Iceland calls the field one of the most renowned hot spring areas in the world and one of the few known for centuries.
The place name Geysir has lent its name to geysers in many languages, and hot spring sinter is often called geyserite. Other notable springs nearby include Strokkur, Konungshver, Blesi, Litli Geysir, Ótherrishola and Sísjóðandi. Above the field rises Laugarfell (187 m), a rhyolite (liparite) intrusion; the rhyolite found around the area has led to theories that a central volcano once stood here.
- Country
- Iceland
- Valley
- Haukadalur
- Last known eruption
- 2016
- Oldest written records
- 13th century
- Protected area
- 1.2 km², natural monument since 17 June 2020
Hot water from deep down
Deep under Geysir, the ground is very hot.
Hot water rises from far below. It carries a mineral called silica. The silica makes a hard gray crust around the pools.
A geyser is a hot spring at boiling point that throws water into the air now and then and stays still in between. Geysers are among the rarest features of hot spring areas.
The Geysir field is a large area of silica hot springs. Their water comes from deep inside the Earth and is rich in silica, a mineral also found in sand and glass. The silica builds up a crust called sinter, which covers a big area around Geysir.
The management plan defines a geyser as a hot spring at boiling point where water is thrown into the air from time to time and is still in between, and calls geysers among the rarest phenomena of geothermal areas. Silica springs are the most common type in the Geysir field, and some are or have been geysers; there are also steam vents, mud pots and muddy water springs.
The continuous sinter crust forms from silica-rich geothermal fluid that originates deep in the Earth. On the field's setting the agency's sources differ in emphasis: its web page says the area lies in Iceland's western volcanic belt, which explains the activity, while the plan says the field is linked to fractures probably belonging to the South Iceland seismic zone and is one of the high-temperature areas not directly connected to an active volcanic system.
Kings, travelers and a gift to Iceland
People have visited Geysir for hundreds of years.
Kings from Denmark came to see it. Later a man bought the land and gave it to the people of Iceland.
The oldest written records about Geysir are from the 13th century, and the area has long attracted travelers, researchers and artists. Two travelers, Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson, visited in 1750 and wrote that the name means someone who rushes off at great speed.
Three kings from Denmark visited: Christian IX in 1874, Frederick VIII in 1907 and Christian X in 1921. Stones from their visits, the "king's stones", are still in the area. In 1894 a British man bought part of the hot spring area and charged visitors, but in 1935 Sigurður Jónasson bought the land back and gave it to the Icelandic people.
Written records about Geysir go back to the 13th century. Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson, in their travelogue of a 1750 visit, explained the name as someone who, in anger or frenzy, rushes off at a furious speed. The "king's stones" are relics of visits by Christian IX (1874), Frederick VIII (1907; Geysir was on the Royal Road built for that visit) and Christian X (1921).
In 1894 a British man bought part of the hot spring area and charged for access, later giving it to a friend; in 1935 Sigurður Jónasson bought the land back and gave it to the Icelandic people. Until 2016 the area was in the undivided joint ownership of the state and other landowners; in 2016 the state bought the whole area, and protection followed on 17 June 2020.
Life on hot ground
Tiny living things live in the hot spring area.
Mosses and small plants grow where the ground is warm. They need the heat of the hot springs.
The Geysir area is protected for its microorganisms and plants as well as its rocks. Some plants grow only where the ground is warmed by hot springs. Two of these, blue water speedwell and adder's tongue, are in some danger.
The plan for the area describes different kinds of warm-ground habitat. The biggest is hot spring clay with crust and very few plants. Warm heath and warm marsh are covered with plants. These warm-ground habitats are rare, and their protection value is very high.
Protection covers microorganisms and vegetation as well as geological formations. The management plan describes geothermal habitat types that are rare nationally and globally: the most extensive, a geothermal clay habitat, is sparsely vegetated and includes sinter slabs and altered ground, while geothermal heath and geothermal mire habitats are vegetated and have very high conservation value. They are most widespread at Þykkvuhverir and in Geysisgil.
The agency's nature page names blue water speedwell (Veronica anagallis-aquatica) and Ophioglossum azoricum, two geothermal vascular plants classified as species in some danger, and several geothermal mosses; birch is prominent in the wider landscape.
Visiting safely
The water at Geysir is very hot.
Stay on the marked paths. Do not throw stones or coins into the pools. Never step into a hot spring.
The Geysir area is a natural monument, and its rules protect both the visitors and the hot springs. Everyone must stay on the marked walkways. Bathing in the hot springs and pools is not allowed, and no one may throw stones, coins or soap into them or break off pieces of crust.
One old custom is still allowed: local people may bake bread in the hot ground, as people in the region have long done. Everything else that could change the springs, their water level or their crust is forbidden.
Since 17 June 2020 the Geysir area (1.2 km²) has been a protected natural monument managed by the Environment Agency of Iceland, which aims to keep it open for education, research, outdoor activities and tourism while restoring disturbed ground. The rules forbid disturbing geosites, including inscriptions, crusts, soil and stones; altering the water level or flow; cooking in hot spring clay, springs or pools, except the region's traditional bread baking; and throwing stones, coins, soap or other objects into the springs.
The 2022–2031 management plan adds that bathing in the springs, pools and their runoff is not allowed, that breaking off and removing sinter is forbidden, and that all visitors must follow the marked walkways for the crust's protection and for safety.
Amazing facts
-
Local people may still bake bread in the hot ground near Geysir. It is an old custom there.
Cooking in the hot springs is not allowed, except for one thing: local people's bread baking, a tradition in the region.
The protection rules ban cooking or boiling food in hot spring clay, springs and pools, with the exception of bread baking as is traditional in the region.
-
The name Geysir means something that rushes out very fast.
Two travelers who visited in 1750 explained the name Geysir as someone who rushes off at great speed.
Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson, writing of their 1750 visit, explained the name as someone who, in anger or frenzy, rushes off at a furious speed.
-
Stones near Geysir recall visits by kings.
The "king's stones" near Geysir are reminders of visits by three kings from Denmark, in 1874, 1907 and 1921.
For Frederick VIII's 1907 visit a Royal Road was built, and Geysir was part of it; the king's stones recall that visit and those of 1874 and 1921.
-
Geysers are very rare.
Geysers are among the rarest things you can find in hot spring areas.
The Geysir management plan calls geysers among the rarest phenomena of geothermal areas.
Words to know
- geyser
- a hot spring at boiling point that sometimes throws water into the air and is still in between
- silica
- a mineral found in sand, quartz and glass; hot spring water can carry it dissolved
- geyserite
- another name for sinter, the rock crust that forms around hot springs
- dormant
- quiet for now, but not finished; able to become active again
- natural monument
- a natural place protected by law because it is special
- travelogue
- a written account of a journey
Discovery challenge
-
What word comes from the name Geysir?
Which word did Geysir give to many languages?
What did the place name Geysir lend to many foreign languages?
- Geyser
- Volcano
- Glacier
Show the answer
Geyser
Geyser!
Geyser, and the crust around hot springs is called geyserite.
The word geyser; hot spring sinter is also called geyserite.
-
Is Geysir erupting a lot today?
When did Geysir last erupt, as far as is known?
What is Geysir's state today, according to the Environment Agency of Iceland?
- No, it has been quiet since 2016
- Yes, every minute
- It erupts only on holidays
Show the answer
No, it has been quiet since 2016
No, it is mostly quiet now.
In 2016. Since then it has been quiet.
Dormant; revived for a while after the 2000 earthquakes, with a last known eruption in 2016.
-
What is the hard crust around Geysir made from?
What forms the sinter crust around Geysir?
What is the origin of the Geysir field's sinter?
- Silica left by hot water
- Ice
- Sea shells
Show the answer
Silica left by hot water
Hot water leaves a mineral called silica behind.
Silica carried by hot water from deep underground.
Silica-rich geothermal fluid originating deep in the Earth.
-
Who was the Geysir land given to in 1935?
What did Sigurður Jónasson do in 1935?
How did the hot spring area return to Icelandic hands in 1935?
- Gave it to the Icelandic people
- Built a hotel on it
- Sold it to a king
Show the answer
Gave it to the Icelandic people
To all the people of Iceland.
He bought the land back and gave it to the Icelandic people.
Sigurður Jónasson bought the land back and gave it to the Icelandic people.
-
What is one thing you must not do at Geysir?
Which of these is against the rules at Geysir?
Which activity do the protection rules forbid?
- Throw coins into a hot spring
- Walk on the marked path
- Look at the steam
Show the answer
Throw coins into a hot spring
Never throw anything into a hot spring.
Throwing stones, coins or soap into the springs is not allowed.
Throwing or discharging stones, coins, soap or other objects into the springs, pools or their drainage.
Nearby places
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Strokkur
Strokkur is a geyser in the Geysir hot spring area of Iceland. Every few minutes, its pool of near-boiling water bulges up and bursts into a fountain that can reach 30 meters high. Scientists have counted tens of thousands of its eruptions to learn how geysers work.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is a waterfall on the river Hvítá in Iceland. The river drops in steps, 32 meters in all, into a canyon about 2.5 kilometers long and 70 meters deep. More than a hundred years ago some people wanted to use its power to make electricity, and a farmer's daughter named Sigríður fought to protect it. Since 1979 it has been a nature reserve.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Seljalandsfoss
Seljalandsfoss is a waterfall in South Iceland, about 62 meters high, Katla UNESCO Global Geopark says. It pours over an old sea cliff that ocean waves cut long ago, when the sea was much higher than it is today, and you can walk around behind it.
-
Watch
City
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital of Iceland and its most populous town. People settled here in Viking times, around 870, and it became a town in 1786. Statistics Iceland counted 139,804 people in Reykjavík at the start of 2026, and hot water piped from deep underground heats its homes and swimming pools.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull is an ice cap in southern Iceland that covers a volcano. In 2010 the volcano erupted for the first time since 1821. Melting ice and hot lava made very fine ash, and winds carried it over Europe. To keep passengers safe, more than 100,000 flights were canceled in one week of April.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Laki
Laki is a row of around 140 craters, vents and cones along a 27-kilometer fissure in the highlands of southeastern Iceland. From June 1783 to February 1784 it poured out 14.7 cubic kilometers of lava, and delicate moss now grows on its lava field.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Vatnajökull
Vatnajökull, in southeastern Iceland, is a huge ice cap covering about 7,500 square kilometers. It is Europe's largest ice cap by volume. Volcanoes lie hidden beneath the ice, and when they erupt, melting ice can burst out in sudden floods. The ice cap sits at the heart of Vatnajökull National Park, a World Heritage Site of "fire and ice".
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Dettifoss
Dettifoss is a waterfall on the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum in Iceland. It is 44 to 45 meters high and about 100 meters wide, and Vatnajökull National Park calls it the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It pours into Jökulsárgljúfur, a canyon that giant floods from under a glacier are believed to have carved.
Experiments to try
Explore next
-
Watch
Country
Iceland
Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic, close to the Arctic Circle. It sits on the border between two giant plates of Earth's crust and has about 200 volcanoes, many hot springs and huge glaciers, and about 396,500 people lived there in mid-2026.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Strokkur
Strokkur is a geyser in the Geysir hot spring area of Iceland. Every few minutes, its pool of near-boiling water bulges up and bursts into a fountain that can reach 30 meters high. Scientists have counted tens of thousands of its eruptions to learn how geysers work.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Gullfoss
Gullfoss is a waterfall on the river Hvítá in Iceland. The river drops in steps, 32 meters in all, into a canyon about 2.5 kilometers long and 70 meters deep. More than a hundred years ago some people wanted to use its power to make electricity, and a farmer's daughter named Sigríður fought to protect it. Since 1979 it has been a nature reserve.
- Watch What If? Lab What if we used heat from inside Earth? The deeper you go underground, the hotter the rocks and water get. In Iceland, hot water from underground heats most homes, and in Kenya, underground steam makes more than 40 percent of the country's electricity. Explore what would happen if we used Earth's own heat: in volcanic places like Iceland, at hot springs, and even just a few feet under your own backyard.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Matterhorn
The Matterhorn is a 4,478-meter mountain in the Alps, on the border between Switzerland and Italy. Its rock was pushed up when Africa moved toward Europe, and glaciers later carved its steep sides into a pyramid shape. Climbers first reached its top on 14 July 1865.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Giant's Causeway
The Giant's Causeway, on the north coast of Northern Ireland, is made of some 40,000 columns of dark basalt rock, many of them six-sided, packed together like a honeycomb. They formed about 60 million years ago, when a deep pool of lava cooled slowly, shrank and cracked into columns.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Alps
The Alps are Europe's great mountain range, an arc about 1,200 kilometers long that runs from the Mediterranean coast near Nice, in France, to Vienna, in Austria. Their highest peak is Mont Blanc, which Britannica gives as 4,807 meters. The Alps rose when the plate carrying Africa pushed north into Europe, and Ice Age glaciers carved their sharp peaks and deep valleys.
-
Watch
Natural wonder
Danube
The Danube is Europe's second-longest river, after the Volga. It begins as two small streams in Germany's Black Forest and flows about 2,850 kilometers east to the Black Sea, passing through 10 countries and four capital cities. For more than 2,000 years it has been a border, a highway for boats and a home for wildlife, and it ends in a giant delta of reeds, lakes and birds.
For parents & teachers
What children will learn
- Locate Geysir in Haukadalur, Iceland.
- Explain what a geyser is and how sinter forms.
- Describe how Geysir's ownership and protection changed over time.
- Explain why hot spring areas have rules for visitors.
Recommended ages: 3 to 17 · About 15 minutes
Talk about it
- Geysir gave its name to every geyser. Can you think of other words named after places?
- Sigurður Jónasson gave the land to the Icelandic people. Why might someone give a special place to a whole country?
- Geysir is mostly quiet now. Is it still worth protecting? Why?
Try at home or in class
- With a grown-up, dissolve as much salt as you can in a cup of warm water. Paint some on a dark dish and let it dry. The crust that appears is a little like the sinter that silica leaves around hot springs.
- Make a timeline on a long strip of paper from the 1200s to today and mark when people wrote about Geysir, when kings visited and when it was protected.
Key vocabulary: geyser, silica, geyserite, dormant, natural monument, travelogue
Where these facts come from
- Wikidata , Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
- Geysir area , Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
- Geysir area: About the area , Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
- Geysir area: Nature and geology , Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
- Geysir area: Culture and history , Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
- Geysir, stjórnunar- og verndaráætlun 2022–2031 (management and protection plan) , Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun)
- Wikimedia Commons , Wikimedia Foundation (Per file (public domain, CC0, CC BY or CC BY-SA); see each media record)
Checked, not yet human-reviewed. Last updated November 1, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.