Grjótagjá, Thermal cave in Skútustaðahreppur, Iceland
Grjótagjá is a lava cave in Iceland that contains a natural hot spring with strikingly blue water surrounded by dark volcanic rock. The cave entrance is tight with a low ceiling, requiring visitors to descend carefully into the chamber.
In the 18th century, the outlaw Jón Markússon made this cave his residence, taking advantage of the thermal spring for bathing and survival. The location served as a refuge offering shelter and natural warmth.
The cave gained international attention after appearing in Game of Thrones season three as a filming location for Jon Snow's scenes. Visitors can identify the spots from the show when they see the dark rock formations and blue water.
Swimming is not allowed in the cave due to water temperatures that can rise dangerously high from volcanic activity. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and be careful when entering, as the ground can be slippery.
The clear water reveals different temperatures at various depths, creating visible layers of thermal stratification within the spring. This natural feature allows visitors to observe how heat distributes differently throughout the cave pool.
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