Peningagjá

Peningagjá is a unique geological feature located in Þingvellir National Park, Iceland. It is a fissure formed by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. Specifically, it marks the boundary between the North American and Eurasian plates. As these plates slowly drift apart, they create cracks and rifts in the landscape, and Peningagjá is one of these striking formations. This fissure is filled with clear, cold water that comes from melted glacier ice filtered through lava rock over many years. The water is so clean that it offers excellent visibility, making it a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. People can see the geological process in action, as new crust forms at this divergent boundary. The name "Peningagjá" translates to "coin fissure," because visitors often toss coins into its waters for luck or as a gesture of goodwill. Beyond its geological significance, Peningagjá holds cultural importance for Icelanders as part of Þingvellir, a site where their historic parliament, Althingi, was established around 930 AD. This makes Peningagjá not only a natural wonder but also a place of historical value.

The Area