Iceland - the Mid-Atlantic ridge above water

View from the North American plate (west) side across the axial rift valley at Thingvellir, Iceland. This valley is part of the western volcanic zone, one of two parallel segments making up the ridge in Iceland. Geological and GPS data indicate that the total spreading between the North American and Eurasian plates, about 2 cm/yr, is divided about evenly between the two segments. Thingvellir was the site of Iceland's first parliament, the Althing, founded around 930 AD.

For 3D view see: http://www.flippi.net/themen/panorama/eindex.htm?eisl360thingvellir.htm

Photo and text contributed by Seth Stein, Northwestern University