Observations for 2023 September 26


First we revisited Littli Geyser at Gamla Laugin/Secret Lagoon in Fluðir. While it was dry, it was also overcast and extremely windy (as in having to pay attention to the gusts or be blown over.)

The activity has changed a bit since the last visit three weeks ago. This time we saw six major eruptions from 9 to 12 minutes apart. The four eruptions for which I got a duration all lasted 38 seconds. In all cases the vent drained after the eruption as after the major eruptions in our previous visit.

Then it was on to Haukadalur. It's my opinion that the wind was having an adverse effect on Strokkur. We saw a number of weak eruptions, some only a couple of meters high. The intervals seemed longer also. That the runoff channel from the pool was exactly downwind could easily explain the changes.

While we did see some two burst eruptions, only once was the second burst powerful. The one three burst we saw had a boil up for the second, then a weak third burst.

I did finally get to see a full eruption of Alfaauga. I waited about half an hour, with overflows of increasing intensity occurring every eight minutes or so. Before the eruption there was strong conventing over the vent and some boiling up, but no splashes. Then an overflow continued and there was an eruption lasting just over two minutes. When it appeared that the pool had dropped down to the previous level between the overflows, I assumed I had seen the major eruption and left. (By then had been out in the wind for over 2-1/2 hours, and time to head in.) Just under two hour earlier I had caught the end of another eruption, but I have no idea if those were consecutive.

Behind and to the left/west of Alfaauga was a pool with water level just below the rim. During my wait, at one point the pool was full and pulsating. Then the next time I looked, it was back down. Not sure of the name or activity of this feature.