We could smell the “hell” part of our excursion to Namafjall before we even got there on our excursion from the Ocean Diamond cruise. Sterile of any vegetation, the Namafjall geothermal field in Iceland is like walking on Mars.

Also know as Hverir, the site is a large expanse of hot springs with numerous fumaroles, mud pools, and mud pots that all seemed to be boiling with eternal energy. The fumaroles are steam and gas emitting openings in the earth’s cruise usually near volcanoes.

Visitors are asked to stay within lines indicating trails to avoid serious burns. A small hiking trail leads up to Namaskard Pass and Namafjall Mountain, returning to the highway and the parking lot.

In former times, early people believed hell to be under volcanoes. This site certainly can reinforce that belief. It is definitely one crazy looking stinky chunk of earth.

Iceland is blessed with abundant geothermal power, which is harnessed for heating and for production of electrical power, our guide Boarski said. In fact, more than 90 percent of Icelandic homes are heated that way. Fossil fuels are used only for transportation, while hydropower is the main source of electricity. As a consequence, Icelanders enjoy a clean pollution-free environment.

Story and photo by Jackie Sheckler Finch