Strokkur Geyser in Iceland

September 22, 2016

Geyser_IMG_1595 (2)

Photographer: Jim Bucko
Summary Authors: Jim Bucko; Jim Foster

Shown above is the Strokkur geyser in the southwest of Iceland. The word geyser is from the Old Norse meaning to rush forward or gush. Strokkur erupts up to a height of 100 ft (almost 30 m) about every 10 minutes or so as groundwater is heated by geothermal activity to 257 F (125 C), at approximately 65 ft (20 m) below the surface. However, this groundwater isn't immediately ejected but is rather constricted by overlying rock and the weight of the water column itself until a critical pressure is reached enabling the column to erupt at the surface. Photo taken on September 10, 2016.

Photo Details: Camera Model: Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS; Focal Length: 6.2mm; Aperture: ƒ/8.0; Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320); ISO equiv: 80.