Deildartunguhver, Hot spring in Borgarbyggð, Iceland
Deildartunguhver is a hot spring in Borgarbyggð where immense quantities of boiling water emerge from deep underground. The scalding water flows through pipes to nearby bathing facilities, homes, and agricultural buildings across the region.
The spring began supplying heat to nearby settlements in the early 1900s through a network of insulated pipes. This system established the foundation for Iceland's later expansion of geothermal heating across the nation.
The spring supplies heat to local greenhouses, enabling year-round vegetable farming in this region where traditional agriculture would be impossible. This practice shapes how people here relate to the landscape and use its natural resources.
The water from the spring itself is far too hot for swimming, but a nearby bath facility mixes it with cooler glacier water for comfortable bathing. The site is easily accessible and well-marked for visitors.
The water pressure from the spring is so powerful that it flows naturally for over 60 kilometers to supply homes with hot water for heating and daily use. This long-distance delivery works without modern pumps, relying entirely on the underground pressure system.
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