The Bridge Between Continents on the Reykjanes peninsula is a small footbridge that spans a rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The bridge is about 15 metres long, and it was built in 2002.
What and where the bridge is
The Bridge Between Continents is on the Reykjanes peninsula in Iceland. It spans a rift in the lava between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
A footbridge over the rift
This is a small footbridge, about 15 metres long. It crosses a fissure in the lava where the ground has opened along the plate boundary.
Two drifting plates
The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are pulling apart at about 2.5 centimetres a year. That movement opens fissures like the one the bridge crosses.
Iceland is one of the few places where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises above sea level. The same plate boundary is where divers and snorkellers drift between the continents at Silfra in Thingvellir.
The name and the idea behind it
The bridge is also known as Midlina. It was built in 2002 as a symbol of the link between Europe and North America.
Seeing the Bridge Between Continents
If you want to compare options in the area, see Reykjanes tours.
For live conditions, check safetravel.is.
Estimate the road time
Use the Driving Distance Calculator to work out how much driving time to allow around The Bridge Between Continents: Reykjanes Guide.
