Transatlantic — Thingvellir; Where North America meets Europe

Thingvellir

There is an area in Iceland known as Þingvellir National Park, which when anglicized comes out spelled Thingvellir. And, yes, we’re still doing the Golden Circle with GeoIceland Tours.

Thingvellir

Thingvellir is a real geological oddity, as this is the heart of a rift valley with significance. It is here that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge protrudes above sea level, creating the island of Iceland. More specifically, this is where the North American tectonic plate collides dramatically with the Eurasian tectonic plate.

Thingvellir

Or, to put it another way, when you walk along the Hakið (Hakid) scenic pathway dividing these plates, and step within the great Almannagjá fault, you are in fact standing on the divide separating Europe from North America.

Hakid — Thingvellir scenic pathway

From here the views of the rift valley are spectacular. Here is Þingvallavatn (Thingvallavatn), a rift valley lake:

Thingvellir

There are also several apparently remote residences in this desolate-looking area:

Thingvellir

We’ll continue exploring Thingvellir Wednesday and this week’s Fun Photo Friday, but for today here is one last image of the pathway within the fault:

Thingvellir