Bubbling pools of mud announce our arrival in one of the most fascinating areas in Iceland, the Solfataren Fields of Namaskard in the Myvatn region. In the plains of Namaskard, the relentless volcanic activity of Iceland is plain to see. Indeed, this island originated due to extraordinary geological phenomena. A ‘hot spot’, a porous location within the earth’s crust that features powerful volcanic activity, gradually forced the land mass that is now Iceland through the surface of the ocean.

Just a few kilometres from the Solfataren area of Namaskard the geothermal energy of the Earth has, since 1977, been harnessed by a small power station. Iceland has two hundred and fifty thermal areas with a total of around six hundred large springs. In addition to creating electricity the hot steam is used for both domestic and industrial heating.

The various colours and patterns on the ground are worth a closer look. The biological and chemical processes of the Solfataren Fields create a myriad of new and impressive images. For geologists this island in the North Atlantic is a veritable paradise: few other places on earth feature as much volcanic activity.

The mysterious Solfataren Fields of Namaskard are an impressive reminder of how Iceland was created and of the awesome energy that lies beneath the surface of the Earth.