Many people associate the term, blue lagoon with the 1980s Randal Kleiser film “The Blue Lagoon” starring Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins, but this one in Iceland is the real deal. This is Iceland’s most popular attraction, thanks to the perfect 102 degree water temperature year round, and the many vital minerals which have been “proven to include a medicinal bonus.” The blueish glow comes from the minerals contained within the white silica mud. Continue reading for more.
5. Helps Skin Ailments
The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulphur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help some people suffering from skin diseases such as psoriasis. The water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 37-39 °C (98-102 °F). The Blue Lagoon also operates a research and development facility to help find cures for other skin ailments using the mineral-rich water.
4. Featured on Television Many Times
The Blue Lagoon was used as the pit stop for the first leg of The Amazing Race 6. The Blue Lagoon was used for the thermal spa scenes in the filming of Hostel: Part II. It was also shown in the Incubus documentary Look Alive, when the band visited Iceland, as well as in the fifth cycle of Britain’s Next Top Model which used as photoshoot location.
3. Origins
In 1976 a pool formed at the site from the waste water of the geothermal power plant that had just been built there. In 1981 people started bathing in it after the discovery of its healing powers for psoriasis. In 1992 the Blue Lagoon company was established and the bathing facility was opened for the public.
2. Its Water Cannot Be Recycled
Because of its mineral concentration, water cannot be recycled and must be disposed of in the nearby landscape, a permeable lava field 50 cm to 1 meter thick. The silicate minerals is the primary cause of that water’s beautiful milky blue shade assuring the touristic resort’s success. After the minerals have formed a deposit, the water reinfiltrates the ground, but the deposit renders it impermeable over time, hence the necessity for the plant to continuously dig new ponds in the nearby lava field.
1. Water is Fed Into Lagoon by Way of Power Plant
Superheated water is vented from the ground near a lava flow and used to run turbines that generate electricity. After going through the turbines, the steam and hot water passes through a heat exchanger to provide heat for a municipal water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.
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