How is the Blue Lagoon Heated? Geothermal energy. Underground lava flows and natural hot springs heat the lagoon's mix of sea and freshwater. The water is drawn up through geothermal extraction wells from 2-kilometres beneath the Earth's surface.
People Also Ask
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.
Every coordinate of the Blue Lagoon world is powered by geothermal energy. In the realm of corporate social responsibility, the company places the wellbeing of its employees and guests at the center of its universe. In all sectors of its operations, enjoyment is key, but safety is paramount.
Water QualityRegular 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.
Do you shower after the Blue Lagoon? Yes, you should shower before and after your stay at the lagoon. Guests are required to shower, without their swimsuit, prior to using the geothermal spa. Simply use the showers and soaps available in the changing rooms.
However, unlike some naturally occurring hot pools the Blue Lagoon is self-cleaning with nine million litres renewed by the aquifers every 40 hours. The pool is checked regularly by the spa for “foreign bacteria” and waterborne diseases, which are a risk in other geothermal pools including in New Zealand.
The water in the Blue Lagoon is heated to around 37-40 degrees Celsius (98-104 F). Due to fluctuations in weather conditions, the precise temperature may change month to month, however you can expect pleasantly warm waters year-round. The sensation is similar to stepping into a hot bath.
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.
The Blue Lagoon was named because the water of the lagoon looks blue when reflected from the sun but in actuality, the water is a milky white color. And don't worry about the smell, the sulfur has been removed so there is no funky smell at all anymore.
You don't need to know how to swim to visit the Blue Lagoon. There are many areas where the water is shallow enough that it doesn't pose a danger to non-swimmers. At the edges of the lagoon, the depth less than 0.8m/2.6ft—perfect for lounging and relaxing. The further into the water you go, the deeper it gets.
Despite how snowy and cold it is, you won't freeze your butt off at The Blue Lagoon. We went in January, which is one of the coldest months of the year, and the lagoon was the perfect place to warm up. Remember, the water is almost 40 degrees all year round, so while the air might be cold, the water is not.
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.
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.
The best time to visit the Blue Lagoon is in the evening to enjoy the midnight sun in summer or the northern lights in winter. The average water temperature is 102 F (39 C) all year. The Blue Lagoon is not natural and was formed in 1976.