DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70301#0151
BOILING FOUNTAINS IN ICELAND.
131
different degrees of force; and at the northern extremity is
the great Geyser, sufficiently distinguishable from the others
by every circumstance connected with it. On approaching this
place, it appeared that a mount had been formed of irregular,
rough-looking depositions, upon the ancient regular strata,
whose origin has been similar. The perpendicular height of
this mount is about seven feet, measured from the highest
part of the surface of the old depositions. On the top of
this mount is a basin, which we found to extend fifty-six feet
in one direction, and forty-six in another.
At a quarter before three o’clock in the afternoon, when
we arrived on the spot, we found the basin full of hot wa-
ter, a little of which was running over. Having satisfied our
curiosity at this time, we went to examine some other places,
whence we saw vapour ascending. Above the great Geyser
at a short distance, is a large irregular opening, the beauties
of which it is hardly possible to describe. The water which
filled it was as clear as crystal, and perfectly still, though
nearly at the boiling point. Through it we saw white incrus-
tations forming a variety of figures and cavities, to a great
depth; and carrying the eye into a vast and dark abyss, over
which the crust supporting us formed a dome of no great
thickness; a circumstance which, though not of itself agree-
able, contributed much to the effect of this awful scene.
Near this spot are several holes, from which vapour continu-
ally rises; and from one of which a rumbling noise proceed-
ed. This last might probably be taken for what Sir John
Stanley denominates the roaring Geyser. But as the open-
ing is not large, the beautiful cavity attempted to be describ-
ed may have been the seat of that once furious spring.
“ One of the most remarkable of these springs,” says Sir
John, “ threw out a great quantity of water, and from its
continual noise we named it the roaring Geyser. The erup-
tions of this fountain were incessant. The water darted out
with fury every four or five minutes, and covered a great
s 2
131
different degrees of force; and at the northern extremity is
the great Geyser, sufficiently distinguishable from the others
by every circumstance connected with it. On approaching this
place, it appeared that a mount had been formed of irregular,
rough-looking depositions, upon the ancient regular strata,
whose origin has been similar. The perpendicular height of
this mount is about seven feet, measured from the highest
part of the surface of the old depositions. On the top of
this mount is a basin, which we found to extend fifty-six feet
in one direction, and forty-six in another.
At a quarter before three o’clock in the afternoon, when
we arrived on the spot, we found the basin full of hot wa-
ter, a little of which was running over. Having satisfied our
curiosity at this time, we went to examine some other places,
whence we saw vapour ascending. Above the great Geyser
at a short distance, is a large irregular opening, the beauties
of which it is hardly possible to describe. The water which
filled it was as clear as crystal, and perfectly still, though
nearly at the boiling point. Through it we saw white incrus-
tations forming a variety of figures and cavities, to a great
depth; and carrying the eye into a vast and dark abyss, over
which the crust supporting us formed a dome of no great
thickness; a circumstance which, though not of itself agree-
able, contributed much to the effect of this awful scene.
Near this spot are several holes, from which vapour continu-
ally rises; and from one of which a rumbling noise proceed-
ed. This last might probably be taken for what Sir John
Stanley denominates the roaring Geyser. But as the open-
ing is not large, the beautiful cavity attempted to be describ-
ed may have been the seat of that once furious spring.
“ One of the most remarkable of these springs,” says Sir
John, “ threw out a great quantity of water, and from its
continual noise we named it the roaring Geyser. The erup-
tions of this fountain were incessant. The water darted out
with fury every four or five minutes, and covered a great
s 2