5218 x 3465 px | 44,2 x 29,3 cm | 17,4 x 11,6 inches | 300dpi
Aufnahmedatum:
17. April 2009
Ort:
Krisuvik High Temperature geothermal Area, Reykjanes Peninsula, South West Iceland
Weitere Informationen:
The main characteristics of a high temperature geothermal area are all encountered at Krisuvik on the Reykjanes Peninsula. They include extensive alteration of the surface rocks (clay formation); a high percentage of dissolved minerals in the hot, acid waters; hot clay pools (solfataras), steam vents (fumaroles) and hot springs on the surface; sulphur precipitation and a strong smell of hydrogen sulphide 'rotten eggs' gas. The temperature of the springs is 90-100C, and 200-300C in drillholes to 1000m depth. The clay (formed from the basalt rock around the spring) is coloured grey by iron sulphide and red by iron oxides. the clay is also mixed with light coloured silica (silica oxide), yellow sulphur and white gypsum (calcium sulphate). In this shot of the Krisuvik solfataras, we see black basalt extensively altered into brightly coloured clay on the sides of valley, at the head of which we see steam rising from the boiling mud pools and hot springs, giving rise to a hot water stream flowing towards the camera.
