UPDATE: Day 8

I realized that I had forgotten to include a photo that I really wanted to share in the Day 8 post.  I could have easily updated that post, but I thought a separate post might be in order so that everyone would see the photo.  Of course, this is a golden opportunity to include a couple additional photos!

As some of you may be aware, geothermal power is a big thing in Iceland, but the fact is that 100% of the country's power -- that's right, 100% -- is from geothermal.  So, power is plentiful and I assume relatively cheap, not to mention environmentally friendly.  And Icelanders are quite proud of this fact.

There are several geothermal plants in Iceland, mostly in the southwest part of the island.  Water is pumped down through "bore holes", which in turn is converted to steam by the hot temperatures beneath the surface from lava, etc.  The steam then drives turbines, which generate electricity.

The geothermal plants are interesting photographically, especially the large steam pipes that often traverse up the mountains.  I was inspired to take some photos of these by one photo in particular that was taken by Danish landscape photographer Mads Peter Iverson.   Here they are (black and white, of course).

Steam pipes at Hellisheiði Power Station, Iceland's second largest.

More steam pipes at Hellisheiði.

Reykjanes power station.