In Thingvellir (Þingvellir), Iceland, the North American and Eurasian Teutonic plates meet. Or at least they once did. Continental drift has been causing them to separate for 10,000 years. They move an average of 3mm a year. Currently, they are about 70m (76 yds) apart.
My head knew these facts, but there was still a part of me that had to think, “what if there is an earthquake right as I am passing through?”
This photo challenge was created by:
- Cathy from Nanacathydotcom
- Jane from Rainbowjunkiecorner
- Melissa from The Aran Artisan
- Sandra from Wild Daffodil
alookatthelittlethings 
That’s an awesome shot!
Thanks. It was an amazing place.
That’s a wonderful path leading down between the rocks.
It felt like walking through history.
Beautiful Path!
Thanks! That whole country was full of spectacular scenery.
So dramatic!
Nature can do some amazing things.
That’s a great photo! I’d love to go to Iceland one day. Thingvaller is also the site of the worlds oldest parliament – the Thing. Absolutely fascinating area.
Minor point, but you made some errors in the description. Ex-Geologist, can’t help myself :-)The continents move by plate tectonics, not continental drift, which is an older hypothesis that preceeded plate tectonics. It is still the plate boundary of the north American and Eurasian plate, the upwelling of magma along the boundary is pushing the continental land masses apart by forming new ocean floor. The boundary along which this happens hasn’t moved. The path is the plate boundary and those dramatic cliffs have slowly been pushed apart. It’s quite awe inspiring what the earth can do.
Thank you for the explanation. I was afraid I was not quite getting the geology correct. If you get a chance to visit Iceland, you would love it. Between the volcanoes, moraine, glaciers, fords, and the fact that the land is in a constant state of change, it is some of the most incredible landscape I have ever seen.
I’ve been wanting to go most of my life, just because it’s such a stunning place.
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Fascinating. Thanks for the photograph and explanation.
It was one of those places that made me feel very small.
Beautiful photo of beautiful path! And a most interesting thought for a traveler….
Places like this make me think about the power of nature.
A beautiful image from such a mysterious part of Earth.
There were parts of the country that looked like they could be on a different world.