Austurengjahver

Austurengjahver is an active geothermal mud pool located south of Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanesskagi. The site is part of the broader geothermal landscape shaped…

Book Tours

Book

At a Glance

GPS

63.8973, -22.0137

Plan Trip Navigate

About

About Austurengjahver

Austurengjahver is an active geothermal mud pool located south of Kleifarvatn on the Reykjanesskagi. The site is part of the broader geothermal landscape shaped by tectonic activity along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where volcanic heat reaches the surface through cracks in the earth’s crust. At Austurengjahver, mineral-rich mud bubbles continuously as steam escapes from underground heat sources. The area provides a clear example of Iceland’s dynamic geology and the ongoing interaction between groundwater and volcanic systems beneath the surface. Although smaller than some of the better-known geothermal fields in the region, Austurengjahver offers visitors a close-up experience of active geothermal processes in a quieter natural setting near Kleifarvatn.

A natural geothermal wonder, a product of Iceland's volcanic activity.

Austurengjahver is a geothermal hot spring in capital-region, one of the many natural wonders created by Iceland's active volcanic geology. Geothermal hot springs are a defining feature of the Icelandic landscape.

Folklore

Story & Folklore

South of Kleifarvatn on the rugged Reykjanesskagi, Austurengjahver bubbles quietly as a reminder of the powerful geothermal forces beneath Iceland’s surface. Unlike the larger geothermal fields that attract many visitors, this smaller mud pool offers a more intimate encounter with the living landscape shaped by volcanic heat and tectonic movement. For generations, people traveling across the Reykjanes Peninsula were familiar with steaming ground and hot springs scattered along traditional routes between coastal settlements and inland grazing areas. Places like Austurengjahver were signs of the earth’s restless energy and helped shape how people understood the land around them. The bubbling mud and rising steam continue to mark the hidden activity below the surface today. After earthquake activity in the year 2000 altered underground water channels in the region, geothermal features around Kleifarvatn—including Austurengjahver—became more active and visible. Today, visitors who stop here can witness a landscape that is still changing, offering a direct connection to the dynamic geological forces that continue to shape Iceland.

Experiences