Below are pictures from my visit to the Blue Lagoon near Keflavik, Iceland. The Bláa Lónið (Blue Lagoon) is a series of lava pools filled with algae and mineral rich water. The algae and silica in the water cause the pools to glow light blue. The water here is just above 100°F, which was nice because the outside temperature was just about 40°F when I visited.


The Blue Lagoon pools are located in the middle of a flat and barren lava field. Next to the spa complex is Svartsengi, the geothermal power plant responsible for the creation of the Bláa Lónið.


The water in the lagoon comes from a source near an underground lava flow. The water is pumped out by the power plant and it's heat is used to turn turbines to generate power. After the water cools it is sent to the lagoon. The minerals in the water give the lagoon it's white silica lining.


The bottom of the pools are covered in thick blue-grey algae.


The water in the lagoon is just above 100°F after leaving the power plant, so the area is almost always shrouded in steam and/or mist if it's raining.


The density of the mineral laden water means that you can float effortlessly on the surface, much like the Dead Sea and Great Salt Lake in Utah.


Cool American, at Keflavik Airport waiting for my flight to Boston.