Category Archives: R. Doug Wicker

Ursula at Thingvellir

The geology here in Thingvellir National Park is simply amazing. Igneous rock is in evidence everywhere, as you would expect in the rift valley of an active volcanic region.

Thingvellir igneous rock

But it’s the sheer cliffs lining the Almannagjá fault gorge which I found most fascinating.

Almannagjá Fault Gorge

Almannagjá Fault Gorge

This next image is of the nearby, very quaint Thingvellir Church:

Thingvellir Church

But let’s return to looking at the Almannagjá fault and it’s vegetation:

Thingvellir igneous rock

Almannagjá Fault Gorge

For some really fascinating reading on the geology of this area, see Geology and tectonics of Þingvellir.

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