Hot springs in the river
Vellir is located in Reykholt geothermal area which includes also the spectacular Deildartunga geysers and hot springs nearby.
The thermal springs have formed in a place where a tectonic fault crosses the Reykjadalsá River. Here are some 6 – 8 thermal springs on sand flats and sometimes can be felt also some hot jets rising from the bottom of the river. The name of the river means “river of the misty valley” – and near the hot springs there indeed rise fumes from Reykjadalsá.
Vellir or Árhver (“hot spring of the river”) has formed a cone of cemented clay and gravel which rises almost 2 m above the stream. On this cone are located several vents but one is more active, with a constantly boiling water.
The diameter of the spring basin is approximately 1 m. The temperature of the water is around 100 °C, the output of the spring – 10 – 15 liters per second.
Vellir geyser
Nowadays Vellir erupts only if soapy water is added to the spring. Then it erupts up to 2 meters high.
Earlier this was a well-known geyser. It erupted up to 1.5 m high in the late 19th century. After an earthquake in 1896, the height of Vellir increased to a maximum height of 11 m. Two years later though everything was as before and the geyser had its previous power.
In later decades Vellir geyser gradually calmed down and now is dormant.
Vellir (Árhver) is included in the following article:
Geysers of Iceland
Some of the world’s most popular geysers are located in Iceland. But few know about ALL active geysers in Iceland.
This article lists all the known active geysers in Iceland – some 20 – 29 of them. Here are listed also some 38 other places where geysers have existed in the past or features, which are similar to geysers but are not genuine geysers.
References
- Dirk Niemann, Deildartunga / Reykholt, Volcanic Springs. Accessed on May 28, 2019.
- Professor, Dr. phil. Th. Thoroddsen, Geografiske og geologiske Undersøgelser ved den sydlige Del af Faxaflöi paa Island, Geografisk Tidsskrift, Bind 17 (1903 – 1904). Accessed on May 28, 2019.
Vellir (Árhver) on the map
| Location, GPS coordinates: | 64.6585 N 21.3638 W |
| Categories: | Thermal springs, Geysers |
| Values: | Geology, Visual |
| Rating: |  (2.5 / 5) |
| Where is located? | Europe, Iceland, Western Region (Vesturland), some 4 km west from Reykholt, in Reykjadalsá river |
| Alternate names: | Árhver, Vellineshver, Vellindishver, Vellandishver |
| Height: | dormant, when “soaped” – up to 2 m |
Video of Vellir (Árhver)
Regína Ragnarsdóttir, February 2017
Landmarks of Iceland
Geysers
Recommended books
Iceland Travel Guide
Iceland Travel Guide Introduction This book includes all the necessary links for an easy journey to your Icelandic adventure. To make your Iceland travel more entertaining and full of all of the things that you want, you’ll see a step-by-step route around the entire country, indicating the distance in miles, accommodations, recreation, entertainment, shopping and much more. This Iceland travel guide will be the perfect companion to see all of the hottest spots, like Blue Lagoon, Iceland and other must-sees.
The Glorious Geology of Iceland’s Golden Circle
This is the first book describing the glorious geology of Iceland’s Golden Circle and four additional excursions:(1) the beautiful valleys and mountains of the fjord of Hvalfjördur, (2) the unique landscape and geothermal fields of the Hengill Volcano, (3) the explosion craters, volcanic fissures, and lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, and (4) the volcanoes (Hekla, Eyjafjallajökull, Katla), waterfalls, sandur plains, and rock columns of South Iceland. The Golden Circle offers a unique opportunity to observe and understand many of our planet’s forces in action.
