The oldest reports of the Strýtan vent field date back hundreds of years to fishermen using dive weights.

[3] Only in 1997 was the Strýtan vent field reported by divers Erlendur Bogason and Árni Halldósson and identified as a real geologic feature.

The Big Strýtan cone is composed prodominantly of anhydrite and saponite, with some chimneys as tall as 55 metres (180 ft).

Silicon dioxide concentrations are elevated relative to seawater and consume magnesium in the precipitation of tall saponite chimneys.

A 2024 study found brucite within the chimneys at Strýtan, suggesting the possibility of ferrobrucite (containing iron) and therefore prebiotic chemistry reactions like those seen at Lost City.