Iceland Feb 2015 - Photos 2

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The Þingvellir National Park

On our way to the national park, looking over the driver's shoulder at the road winding over the desolate, snow-covered landscape.
On our way to the national park, looking over the driver's shoulder at the road winding over the desolate, snow-covered landscape.
Linda at the national park viewpoint, as we realise how cold it's going to get today.
Linda at the national park viewpoint, as we realise how cold it's going to get today.
I'm shivering too.
I'm shivering too.
Looking out from the visitor centre over the huge, partially-frozen Þingvallavatn lake.
Looking out from the visitor centre over the huge, partially-frozen Þingvallavatn lake.
Another view across the lake to the mountains beyond.
Another view across the lake to the mountains beyond
Looking north up the Þingvellir rift valley.  The mountains on the left are attached to the North American tectonic plate, while those on the right are attached to the European plate.  The plates are drawing apart at about 2cm per year, causing frequent earthquakes and covering the floor of the valley with long cracks.
Looking north up the Þingvellir rift valley. The mountains on the left are attached to the North American tectonic plate, while those on the right are attached to the European plate. The plates are drawing apart at about 2cm per year, causing frequent earthquakes and covering the floor of the valley with long cracks.
Just visible in the bottom-right corner of the previous photo, here are a church and accommodation for visitors.  The Icelandic head of state welcomes visiting heads of state to this historic location.
Just visible in the bottom-right corner of the previous photo, here are a church and accommodation for visitors. The Icelandic head of state welcomes visiting heads of state to this historic location.
A couple of the long cracks caused as the rocks are torn apart by the separating tectonic plates.
A couple of the long cracks caused as the rocks are torn apart by the separating tectonic plates.
Another crack caused as the rocks were torn apart.  This one has filled with water, and visitors throw coins in for luck - you can just make some out, glinting in the deep water.
Another crack caused as the rocks were torn apart. This one has filled with water, and visitors throw coins in for luck - you can just make some out, glinting in the deep water.
One of the many frozen stretches of water in the valley.
One of the many frozen stretches of water in the valley.
This crack is clear evidence of seismic activity.
This crack is clear evidence of seismic activity.

Panoramic more-than-180° view over the spectacular Þingvellir National Park and the Þingvallavatn lake.
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Panoramic 180° view over the Þingvellir National Park and the Þingvallavatn lake.

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