Located about 61 km from Reykjavik, the Bridge between Continents or ‘Miðlína’ or ‘Leif Eriksson’s Bridge’ is a spectacular place, where one can go from Europe to America and vice-versa in a matter of seconds with a few steps, both physically and theoretically!
Located about 61 km from Reykjavik, the Bridge between Continents or ‘Miðlína’ or ‘Leif Eriksson’s Bridge’ is a spectacular place, where one can go from Europe to America and vice-versa in a matter of seconds with a few steps, both physically and theoretically!
A major tourist attraction, this is a small footbridge at Sandvik, in Reykjanes Peninsula, over a fissure were two important tectonic plates are located – the Euroasian tectonic plate and North American tectonic plate. The 15-metre Bridge between Continents, which symbolises the connection between the two important tectonic plates, quite literally bridges that gap between Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Towards the centre of the footbridge a sign reads ‘Midlina, in the footsteps of the gods,’ while signs on either sides read: ‘Welcome to Europe’ and ‘Welcome to America’. The bridge is dedicated to Leif Eriksson, who is said to have discovered America one thousand years ago, 500 years before Columbus. The Bridge, which is surrounded by lava fields and has sand beneath, also allows curious visitors to actually walk under it. The topography around is mesmerising, considering lava has formed layer upon layer for thousands of years, and on a clear day Eldey Island, located towards the south is visible. The Continental Drift Theory proclaims the two tectonic plates, which are moving; continue to drift apart at about 2.5 cm a year. Reykjanes peninsula sits firmly on one of the world’s major plate boundaries – the Mid Atlantic Ridge.
Of course, what makes Iceland even more unique is the fact that one can also snorkel between two continental tectonic plates. What’s more, after crossing the Bridge, visitors can also pick up personalised certificate from the Reykjanes Information Centre, confirming you have achieved the ‘incredible’ feat.
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