Haukadalur (Bláskógabyggð)
Template:Short description {{#invoke:Other uses|otherX|places with the same name}} Template:Infobox landform Haukadalur (Icelandic: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, from Template:Langx {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, "hawk dale" or "valley of hawks") is a valley in Bláskógabyggð municipality,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> found in the Southern Region of Iceland. It is know for its geothermal activity and the Haukadalsskógur National Forest.
Geography
The shallow valley is at about Template:Convert above sea level about Template:Convert to the north-west of Reykjavík.Template:Snf It lies to the north of Laugarvatn lake in the south of Iceland.
Geology
There is a north-south orientated geothermal area in the valley, of about Template:Convert in width and about Template:Convert long, mainly on the eastern slopes of the rhyolite dome of Laugarfjau that is Template:Convert high.Template:Snf To the west of the valley is Bjarnarfell at Template:Convert which is a hyaloclastite ridge mainly composed of basalt and some rhyolite.Template:Snf To the north is a shield volcano, Sandfell at Template:Convert, which on the valley's horizon.Template:Snf The volcanoes have not been active for over 10,000 years.Template:Snf
Geysers
Haukadalur is home to some of the best known sights in Iceland: the geysers and other geothermal features which have developed on the Laugarfjall {{#invoke:IPA|main}} rhyolitic dome.Template:Snf The biggest geysers of Haukadalur are Strokkur and Geysir itself, which gave us the word 'geyser'.Template:Snf Strokkur is very dependable and erupts every 4 to 10 minutes,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> whereas the bigger Geysir nowadays erupts very rarely.Template:Snf There are also more than 40 other smaller hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles nearby.Template:Snf The water source for the geothermal activity may originate from the southern Langjökull ice sheet, about Template:Convert to the north.Template:Snf
Haukadalur geothermal area was mentioned in written sources around 1294 CE,Template:Snf when new local hot springs were activated by earthquakes,Template:Snf but geothermal activity was present before this.Template:Snf Earthquakes are also known to have activated local geysers in the recent past,Template:Snf including the earthquakes that occurred on 17 and 21 July 2000. Due to the geysers the valley has been a popular tourist attraction since the 18th century.Template:Snf
Nearby attractions
The Gullfoss waterfall is about Template:Convert to the north in the direction of the Highlands of Iceland, via the beginning of the Kjölur highland road. Along with Gullfoss and Þingvellir, Haukadalur is part of the Golden Circle.
Gallery
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Haukadalur in September 2017, Iceland -
Haukadalur in May 2016, Iceland -
Haukadalur, Iceland -
Geothermal area of Geysir -
Litli Geysir, Haukadalur, Iceland
See also
- List of cities and towns in Iceland
- List of earthquakes in Iceland
- List of waterfalls of Iceland
- Volcanism of Iceland