Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa)

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View of the blue lagoon in iceland

The Blue Lagoon (Icelandic: "Bláa Lónið") geothermal spa is one of the most visited attractions in Iceland. The steamy waters are part of an other-worldly lava formation.

The warm waters are rich in minerals like silica and sulfur and bathing in the Blue Lagoon is reputed to help many with skin diseases like psoriasis. Water temperature in the bathing and swimming area of the lagoon averages 40C (104F).

The lagoon is fed by the water output of a nearby geothermal 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 hot water heating system. Then the water is fed into the lagoon for recreational and medicinal users to bathe in.

The spa is located in a lava field in Grindavík on the Reykjanes Peninsula, southwestern Iceland; not far from the Keflavík International Airport and the capital city of Reykjavík.

In 2004, the Blue Lagoon was used as the first pitstop in the international reality show, The Amazing Race 6.

In 2005, the Blue Lagoon played host to TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson and his team in the filming of an episode of Top Gear, the BBC television programme.

Iceland has one of the strictest codes of hygiene for before and after swimming in public; please see the External links section.