Gunnuhver – The Angry Ghost of Reykjanes

About Gunnuhver – The Angry Ghost of Reykjanes

Gunnuhver is Iceland's largest geothermal mud pool — a vast, violently bubbling cauldron of grey boiling mud and screaming steam vents on the Reykjanes Peninsula.

History & Background

Gunnuhver is named after the ghost of Guðrún — a woman who lived nearby in the 17th century and was said to have become a poltergeist after her death. Her spirit reportedly caused chaos in the area until a local priest lured her into the boiling spring. The geothermal area sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and is one of the most powerful surface expressions of the tectonic activity below. During the recent volcanic unrest on Reykjanes (2021–present), the geothermal activity at Gunnuhver has intensified significantly.

Did You Know?

Gunnuhver – The Angry Ghost of Reykjanes is part of Iceland's diverse landscape
Iceland offers an incredible variety of natural and cultural experiences
The country's unique geology creates a constantly changing and dramatic environment