Water sourceThe lagoon is man-made. The water is a byproduct from the nearby geothermal power plant Svartsengi where superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity.
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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.
As you walk and swim around the lagoon, you'll notice that the bottom of the pool feels squishy. Don't freak out—that's the same silica mud you'll find in the face mask hut. Think of it as a healing experience for your feet.
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 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.
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.
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.
However, in hindsight, you can actually do the whole thing privately. You can take your bathing suit and towel into the private shower stall with you and hang them over the curtain. Get dressed when you're done and then take your clothes back to the locker area.
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.
Generally, the hot water in Iceland sometimes smells of sulfur, the effects of its geothermal origin. Although some geothermal areas you might visit smell strongly of sulfur, like Námaskarð or Seltún, you may not notice it at the Blue Lagoon.
Luckily, this isn't like many other geothermal pools in Iceland! There, sulfuric compounds are the main characters, and everything smells like a million rotten eggs. Misunderstand us correctly; some people might feel like the Blue Lagoon doesn't smell like a bundle of roses!