A Crack in the Earth

The surface of the Earth is said to be covered by a number of (tectonic) plates that move against each other.  Iceland sits on the fissure where the North American Plate meets the Eurasian Plate. At one point, the North American Plate sits on top of the Eurasian Plate.  We walked through the fissure at one point.  When we looked north, the North American Plate was on out left, and the Eurasian Plate was on our right. 

Further south of the fissure, a huge crack opened up, apparently when the two plates pulled apart, several years ago.  Now we have to walk on an elevated walkway, which was built after the crack opened up.  

It is awe-inspiring to be there. The earth looks solid enough.  But it is undeniably moving and changing shape.  It is said that the plates are moving apart only at the rate of 2 mm per year.  Yet enormous power is released in the process.  It is hard not to feel small when faced with such raw power.  It is also very hard not to feel that intention and design are involved.