On Our Way to Keflavik, Iceland, and the Airport

On our last full day in Iceland, we explored a National Park. 

PINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Pingvellir, aka Thingvellir, has been a special place for Icelandic peoples for over a thousand years. About 930 AD, local clan chiefs began to gather at this geological landmark for annual meetings. 

This surface crevice grows larger as it extends into the lake.

This great fissure is where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are moving apart. So, half of Iceland sits in America, and the other half is in Europe. The earth's crust is literally being torn apart.

This little creek flows into a small pond and waterfall.

Oxararfoss, meaning Ox Waterfall, plunges over the wall of the rift.

The vertical cliff face is original rock as it was laid down by volcanic eruptions and compressed over the eons.

This is the valley where the clan chieftains set up their temporary living structures. We walked among the archeological foundations. The Law Rock is now marked by a flagpole.

About 930 AD, local clan chiefs began to gather for an annual meeting at this hill, known as The Law Rock. This is where the locals would make laws, settle legal disputes, and arrange marriages.

Churches have sat at this location since 1030. The current church was built in 1859.

Over time, the lakebed has slid into the gap between the plates. Lake Pingvallavatn is very deep and in fact, the deepest parts of the lakebed are actually below sea level. There are snorkeling and diving tours to view the clear, deep fissures in the lakebed.

A paved trail leads from the visitor center in the rift. The North American Plate is on the left, the Eurasian Plate is on the right.

SAYING GOODBYE TO ICELAND

Our last view of Iceland as we flew out of the airport in Keflavik on July 31st.

The skies were clear as we crossed Greenland.

More vast lands with glaciers and waterfalls to explore but not many roads.

This massive glacier was extending down to the fjord.