View of the mound, & of the pipe or cylinder from whence the Geyser issues, as seen immediately after an eruption. ; from a drawing taken on the spot, 1789 ; engrav'd by F. Chesham
Lettering continues: the Geyser is the most remarkable of about 150 boiling springs, which burst from the ground in a circle of 2 or 3 miles between a river & a range of hills, on the north side of the plain of ; Haukadal, which, in the south western district of Iceland, is situated 12 miles from the cathedral of Skalholt & 30 or 40 from Mt. Heckla. they generally boil up in cauldrons of from 2 to 12 feet ; in circumference, mixed with a blue, a red, or a yellow clay, into which their steam has converted the volcanic soil & substances near them, 3 or 4 alone throw up their water clear & to any height. 2. rise thro' pipe's as perfectly cylindrical as if constructed by art. that of the Geyser is 61 feet in depth & 8 feet & a half in diameter. it opens ; into a bason or funnel about 8 feet deep, & 60 in diameter. both have been evidently formed by gradual depositions from the water, & a mound round them has in like manner been formed 30 feet ; high and extending in various directions to distances of 80, 100 & 120 feet. the substance thus deposited is a light brown or rather grey colour. & is either smooth or covered with an efflorescence ; like a cauliflower, as the water has flowed over it in streams, or descended on it, in showers of spray. it has been examined by Professor Bergman & has been found to be chiefly siliceous
