Pictures Show North American and European Plates in Iceland Pulling Apart

The dramatic terrain - the join between two tectonic plates - is popular with tourists who can explore the natural wonder on land and underwater

As you can see from these pictures, the separation of the tectonic plates is having a dramatic effect on the landscape of Iceland. The rift valley in Þingvellir National Park is getting wider with each passing year, and the fissures and lava fields are a constant reminder of the powerful forces at work beneath the surface of the island.

The separation of the tectonic plates is also why Iceland is such a seismically active country. The constant stretching and tearing of the Earth's crust causes the ground to shake, and this is why Iceland experiences so many earthquakes each year.

Some of the rifts are filled with clear cold water where divers can often be seen exploring the underwater crevices, which can be up to 61m (200ft) deep. The clean water is coloured by the sand, silt and other minerals at the bottom and the deeper rifts can be clearly seen from above.

Despite the potential for destruction, the separation of the tectonic plates is also responsible for some of Iceland's most stunning geological features. The rift valleys, fissures, lava fields, hot springs, and waterfalls are all a result of this process, and they make Iceland a truly unique and beautiful country.