Gunnuhver EarthCache
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Gunnuhver crater is the largest and hottest mud pool on reykjanes peninsula.
As Iceland is born on the border of two continental plates, this is a place where you can watch the living earth. Gunnuhver is located where the Reykjanes ridge surfaces from the Atlantic ocean and becomes the Reykjanes peninsula. Gunnuhver originates from an old story about a female ghost called Gunna being banned in one of the fumaroles by a sorcerer. Can you still hear her?
Groundwater probably mixed with sea water gets heated above the magma chamber. Up to 300°C reaches the steam here which makes it one of the hottest spots on Reykjanes. Visibility can be poor, so please follow rope fences for orientation.
Sulphuric gases make the steam acid and convert tuffeous rock to clay, usually of light grey colour.
Until 2008 activity has been comparable to other hot temperature areas, but then steam venting from fumaroles and clay output increased rapidly. The road to the lighthouse had to be closed and finally a new mud crater was created:
How to log the cache:
1. Estimate diameter & height of largest mud crater, currently not steaming anymore!
2. What caused the increased amounts of steam and finally the crater in 2008?
3. Full name of Gunna?
4. Who settled here? Describe his business plan!
5. Optional photo with you or GPSr and main crater in background at above coordinates (see sample)
After sending the answers via profile EMail you can immediately log. We will contact you if there is a problem with your answers. Enjoy your visit!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
frr vasb obneqf