Námafjall Hverir
Mývatn Region, Iceland
 |
| Námafjall Hverir |
Historical Notes
“Námafjall is a high temperature geothermal area with fumaroles and mud pots. At a depth of 1000m, the temperature is above 200°C. Along with steam comes fumarole gas, such as hydrogen sulfide which is responsible for the characteristic hot spring smell in these areas. The hot springs produce considerable sulphur deposits. In previous centuries sulphur was mined in Iceland to produce gun powder.”
The excitement. The power. The energy.
It was rejuvenating!
I felt like a kid full of awe and fascination!
Giddy, just at the idea of being near volcanic activity.
Not even the weather could prevent me from exploring and satiating my curiosity.
I love moody and volatile weather!
Snow covered mountains hiding out in the storm.
Unable to differentiate mountains from sky.
Snow falling.
Wind blowing.
With very little caution I ran towards the roiling mud pots and steamy fumaroles.
I could do nothing but smile as I tried to navigate the strange terrain.
my face being pelted by ice
I embraced the cold and enjoyed this moment of being alive!
Vibrantly loud colors pulsating with immense energy.
Desperately wanting to be seen under the fresh snow…
The ground was the oddest I’ve ever set foot upon.
Frozen waves of reddish mud peaking up through the snow.
but directly underfoot… warm and oozing orangish clay.
and I noticed
as if in some kind of fairy tale…
the footprints I left behind, became frozen in time.
 |
| Námaskarð Behind me, the Ring Road (Rt 1) traverses the mountain pass. |
 |
| Snow lightly gathering along the outside of a mud pot. |
 |
| Hverir Parking area in the distance. |
 |
| Námafjall and me. |
 |
| Hverir |
 |
| Hverir |
 |
| Fumarole |
 |
| Fumarole |
 |
| Fumaroles along a small ridge. |
 |
| Námafjall Small ridge covered in fumaroles. |
I often found myself flipping through my friend Liz’s Lonely Planet book about Iceland. It was a great reference guide about the things we experienced throughout Iceland.
Lonely Planet – Hverir
Lonely Planet – Námafjall
Lonely Planet – Mývatn Region
February 21, 2017 – All photos were taken by Nathan Neal.