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Thingvellir National Park is a natural wonder of the world where the geology and ecosystem of Thingvallavatn form a unique whole. Thingvellir National Park area is part of the Atlantic Ocean ridge that runs through Iceland. The magical landscapes at Þingvellir are formed in the unique geographical setting of a rift valley in the divide between the North-American and Eurasian continental plates. The lava fields at Þingvellir are torn apart by tectonic forces, leaving admirable gorges and fissures. The most impressive of them, Almannagjá, is the focal point of the national park. A hiking path leads through the enormous cleft to the “law rock” and Öxará river, enveloped by stunning walls of basalt rocks.

Next, we visited the Geysir geothermal area. This active geothermal field is packed with steaming fissures, bubbling hot springs, and geysers. The highlight is Strokkur Geyser, known for its spectacular eruptions, shooting water up to 65 – 131 ft (20 – 40 m) every 5-8 minutes. Active geysers like Strokkur are rare around the world due to the fact that many conditions must be met for them to form. They are thus only found in certain parts of highly geothermal areas.

The first condition that is necessary is an intense heat source; magma must be close enough to the surface of the earth for the rocks to be hot enough to boil water. Considering that Iceland is located on top of the rift valley between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, this condition is met throughout most of the country. Secondly, you will need a source of flowing underground water. In the case of Strokkur, this comes from the second-largest glacier in the country, Langjökull. Meltwater from the glacier sinks into the surrounding porous lava rock and travels underground in all directions. Evidence of this flowing water can be found in Þingvellir National Park, where there are many freshwater springs flowing straight from the earth. Finally, you need a complex plumbing system that allows a geyser to erupt rather than just steam from the ground like a fumarole. Above the intense heat source, there must be space for the flowing water to gather like a reservoir. From this basin, there must be a vent to the surface. This vent must be lined with silica so that the boiling, rising water cannot escape before the eruption.

Our third stop was the massive Gullfoss waterfall. It plunges 105 ft (32 m) in two stages into a rugged canyon that’s 229 ft (70 m) high. The first drop is 36 ft (11 m), and the second is 69 ft (21 m), making Gullfoss a true showstopper.The name Gullfoss means “Golden Falls,” and it’s known for its powerful cascade. Gullfoss is fed by the Hvita River and plunges into a dramatic canyon, creating two distinct drops that total around 105 feet (32 meters) in height.Gullfoss holds significant cultural and environmental importance for Iceland. It was almost harnessed for hydroelectric power in the early 20th century, but thanks to the efforts of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a local farmer’s daughter who campaigned to protect it, the plans were eventually abandoned. Today, Gullfoss is a protected natural site and a symbol of Iceland’s commitment to conservation.