When Scapa Flow Steams

I was taking pictures of the arrival of spring in Orkney last weekend when I noticed an interesting phenomenon: Scapa Flow was steaming. 
I asked some friends about this and was let into one of the lesser-known facts about Scapa Flow. Occasionally, underwater vents or fissures open and become active for brief periods at the bottom of Scapa, which is, of course, itself the crater of an ancient volcano, When this happens, the surface of Scapa can steam, as may be seen behind the farmhouse in this landscape shot.
Down at the bottom, however, some water is super-heated and gives rise to a rather special Orkney treat. Lobsters can get caught in eddies of this scalding water and get themselves cooked on the spot. And since cooked lobsters float, they rise to the surface and may be collected by those in the know as a special free treat. These lobsters are particularly delicious because the minerals coming from Scapa’s volcanic vents impart an especially nice flavour to the lobster flesh.
It doesn’t happen very often, but I do hope one day to try this rather unique dish – volcanically cooked lobster.