The great geysir, located in the Haukadalur valley only a few miles from Gulfoss, gave the English language its only Icelandic loan word. Sadly, the spouting hot spring rarely erupts anymore, being discouraged by earthquakes and tourists throwing rocks into it, the geological equivalent of rattling a tiger's cage to make it roar. Happily Strokkur, another geyser about 200 feet away, still shoots water into the air every five minutes or so. There are at least three other hot springs at the sight, and my classmates and I dutifully stuck our head over each one. Despite the low ropes and half-hearted warning signs, no one was scalded.