Almannagjá

Q: Hvernig myndaðist Almannagjá?

Almannagjá tengist gliðnun jarðskorpunnar á Þingvöllum, þar sem Norður-Ameríku- og Evrasíuflekarnir færast smám saman hvor frá öðrum.

Q: Er hægt að ganga um Almannagjá?

Já. Gönguleið liggur um Almannagjá og er hún einn vinsælasti hluti heimsóknar í Þingvallaþjóðgarð.

Q: Hvaða sögulega þýðingu hefur Almannagjá?

Almannagjá er hluti af sögulegu landslagi Þingvalla, þar sem Alþingi Íslendinga kom saman um aldir.

Q: Hvað er hægt að sjá nálægt Almannagjá?

Í nágrenninu eru meðal annars Öxarárfoss, Lögberg, Þingvallavatn og fleiri þekktir staðir innan Þingvallaþjóðgarðs.

TypeFissure

RiverÖxará

River in canyonYes

Accessible by carYes

ParkingYes

Marked trailYes

ViewpointYes

Almannagjá is one of Iceland’s most famous rift formations and is located within Þingvellir National Park. The gorge forms part of the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and is a striking example of the geology that makes Þingvellir unique on a global scale.

The river Öxará flows through Almannagjá, cascading into the gorge at Öxarárfoss before continuing along its floor and eventually reaching Þingvallavatn. The combination of water, lava, and tectonic movement creates a dramatic and memorable landscape.

Almannagjá also played an important role in the history of Þingvellir. The gorge formed part of the assembly area of the Alþingi during the Commonwealth period and lies close to Lögberg, where laws were proclaimed and major decisions were made.

Today, Almannagjá is one of the most popular walking routes in Þingvellir National Park, allowing visitors to walk directly between two continental plates. The gorge is closely connected to other notable rifts in the area, including Hrafnagjá, and forms an essential part of the overall Þingvellir landscape.

Combining geology, history, and natural beauty, Almannagjá is an unmissable stop for anyone visiting Þingvellir.

Geological feature

Fissure along the tectonic plate boundary where the crust has pulled apart

Geology

Almannagjá lies within an active rift zone where the crust has fractured and subsided along the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The fissure is part of the Þingvellir fracture system and clearly illustrates the effects of crustal movement on the landscape.