In Iceland, there's a geothermal hot spring called Gunnuhver. The name comes from Guðrún Önundardóttir, known as Gunna. According to folklore, she died after a quarrel with her landlord over unpaid rent.
After Gunna's death, her spirit reportedly haunted the region. Local tales suggest that a pastor named Eiríkur of Vogsósar used a ball of yarn to lure her ghost toward the hot spring. In many versions of the story, her spirit falls into the steaming pool, and the site is named in her honor.
Gunnuhver is notable not just for its ghostly association but also for its geology. It is situated on the southwestern tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula, part of an active volcanic system. This site features the largest mud pool in Iceland, with a diameter of twenty meters, and is characterized by steaming fumaroles and bubbling hot springs.
Interestingly, the hydrothermal fluids here are derived from seawater rather than freshwater, which is quite unusual for Iceland. The presence of these geothermal features has led to safety measures and occasional closures based on the region’s changing geothermal activity.
Gunnuhver is within the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark and near the Reykjanesviti lighthouse. Walkways and viewing platforms provide access, but increased geothermal activity has prompted temporary closures over the years.
As a site of significant geological activity, Gunnuhver continues to capture the interest of visitors, both for its natural beauty and its intriguing ghost story.
