The Plate Boundary On Iceland

The photo above shows the Almannagj� fault in the �ingvellir National Park. One might think that the gorge in the photo is where the continental plates separate, but it's not quite that simple. Briefly explained, Almannagj� marks the edge of the North American Plate, while the edge of the Eurasian Plate is another ravine, Hrafnagj�, about 5 km (3 mi) to the east, all the way across the shallow valley. This valley gets on average 7 mm (0.3 in) wider and 1 mm (0.04 in) lower each year, but the change happens occasionally during earthquakes.^[1] During the most recent major earthquake activity in �ingvellir, which occured in 1789, the whole valley sank 1-2 m (3-7 ft).^[1]

�ingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but not because of its geology, but beacuse this is where Iceland's parliament, Al�ingi, gathered between years 930 - 1798^[2]. Until year 1262, when Iceland became a part of Norway, meetings were held on L�gberg (law mountain in english) - a site believed to have been situated either in front of or inside the Almannagj� fault.^[3] Below are amazing drone shots of Almannagj� - not a bad place for parliament meetings.