Rich in active gases or metals — a strong mineral character.
Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
SoufreSulfuresSulfates
Grænihver — 'Green Spring' — is a geothermal hot spring in Iceland whose name describes the distinctive greenish hue imparted to the water and surrounding mineral deposits by sulphur compounds, iron-oxidising bacteria, or algae that thrive in the warm, mineral-rich geothermal environment. The vivid green colour of such springs makes them among the most visually striking features of the Icelandic volcanic landscape, their unusual hue a direct expression of the rich geochemical processes occurring as deeply heated water rises through volcanic rock. Grænihver is both a geothermal spectacle and a genuine hot spring of therapeutic interest.
Insider tip — Grænihver — Green Spring — takes its name from the vivid moss-green algal mats that colonize the outflow channels where the superheated water cools to tolerable temperatures. Located in the Ásgarður geothermal valley at Kerlingarfjöll, it forms part of an interconnected network of springs, mud pots, and fumaroles that stretch across half a kilometre of highland terrain. The green tones contrast sharply with the white and orange silica deposits, creating a surreal palette that photographers prize. Access requires a highland vehicle and typically a two-hour drive from Reykjavik.
