The Blue Lagoon: is it natural or not?
If you went to Iceland one day in your life, you could not miss the famous "Blue Lagoon". This is a turquoise water lake located about 45 minutes from Reykjavik. This lake has the particularity of being one of the main tourist attractions in Iceland as the water is very hot. Every year, 39% of people visiting Iceland take a detour to this dream lake. The fact is that everyone thinks it is natural hot springs. When in fact, it is not quite true ... Indeed, the water of this lake draws well its source in a natural basin. In contrast, the lake was dug by the man on the rock. It has absolutely nothing natural.
Photo from Shutterstock / Puripat Lertpunyaroj
How to explain the color of the water?
In fact, the water is 240 degrees, so it must be treated in a geothermal plant before arriving in the lake. When you dip, it is about 40 ° C. If this water is not treated, you would literally be boiled. So it is somehow correct to speak of natural hot water source (and again, since it is treated). But the lake is completely artificial. Regarding the color of the water, it is due to the composition of the rock just below: silicates for the milky aspect and algae for the bluish appearance. And you, have you ever had the chance to go there?
Photo from Shutterstock / Argentus