Is Blue Lagoon man-made?
Is Blue Lagoon man-made? Catching a glimpse of the milky-blue water against the black-rock lava fields, it may not come as a complete surprise that the Blue Lagoon is man-made. Runoff water from the nearby Svartsengi geothermal power plant trickles into the lava fields and a blanket of mineral-rich mud lines the foundations of the Blue Lagoon.
Does the water at the Blue Lagoon smell?
The water you find in Iceland's Blue Lagoon is no ordinary water. As soon as you come close to the geothermally active area, you will see, feel, and even smell that there is something unique here. Luckily, this isn't like many other geothermal pools in Iceland!
Is there bacteria in the Blue Lagoon?
Regular sampling of this natural resource—which is rich in salt, silica, and other minerals—shows that foreign bacteria do not thrive in the lagoon's ecosystem. Thus, disinfectants such as chlorine are not needed. In essence, the lagoon is a self-cleaning ecosystem.
Is the Blue Lagoon naturally heated?
The Iceland Blue Lagoon is not a natural spring. While Iceland is a country brimming with natural hot springs, the Blue Lagoon actually isn't one of them. The land is natural, as is the lava that shapes the pool, but the hot water is actually the result of runoff from the geothermal power plant next door.
Is the Blue Lagoon water clean?
Blue Lagoon – History It is not a natural hot spring – in fact, the water within is wastewater from the power plant! While at first glance this may put you off, it should be noted that the water in the Blue Lagoon is completely safe and contains only natural minerals.
How was Blue Lagoon formed?
The Blue Lagoon was created accidentally by the condense discharge from the geothermal power plant in Svartsengi. The water was expected to disappear into the permeable lava field, but sedimentation gradually made the coarse lava field watertight, and the lagoon continued expanding.
What are the side effects of swimming in the Blue Lagoon?
The seawater in the Blue Lagoon has high levels of silica. Silica is not harmful to hair. However, if your hair gets wet, it can become stiff and difficult to manage. Therefore, we recommend that you apply conditioner to your hair before entering the lagoon--and leave it in your hair while in the lagoon.
Why is Blue Lagoon water white?
Silica—composed of silicon and oxygen—is a constituent compound of lava and merges with geothermal seawater in volcanic aquifers deep underground. When the superheated water reaches the surface and cools, silica molecules are set free, becoming the iconic white mud that is one of Blue Lagoon's hallmarks.