Snorkeling Iceland Tectonic Plates

I missed out on snorkeling silfra that s the name given to the tectonic rift on my first trip to iceland and decided to make it one of the first things i booked for my second trip.

Snorkeling iceland tectonic plates.

Snorkel between iceland s tectonic plates in the clearest water in the world. The island of iceland was formed by the violent forces between the north american and eurasian tectonic plates as they move unstoppably apart. Snorkelling in silfra is a unique experience because of the clear crystal waters. The glacial water filtered through porous lava rock reaches a visibility of 100 meters.

Combining this underwater adventure with your visit to the golden circle of iceland ensures that you really are experiencing the best iceland has to offer. It cuts through the thingvellir national park of southwestern iceland a volcanic area created by the movements of the earth s crust. Snorkeling between tectonic plates in iceland. Today it s one of the most visited attractions of iceland although its rift valley is still a well kept secret.

Snorkelling in iceland between tectonic plates. Silfra is a rift formed in the tectonic plates between north american and eurasian plates. Add it to the bucket list. Silfrá fissure the 60 metre deep silfra fissure is a result of the north american and eurasian tectonic plates pulling apart which happens at around 2 centimetres a year.

Warnings like this make you realize how incredible this snorkeling spot is and how beautiful yet destructive nature can be. A fissure that. I decided to drag elliot along too and bless him he actually went with me despite his hatred of being cold. The rift offers exceptional visibility of 70 to 80 meters.

We are snorkeling in silfra a rift valley between the north american and eurasian tectonic plates. The water in silfra comes from iceland s second largest glacier langjokul and it filters down the mountains underground and down the porperous lava rock. Nowhere else on earth can you snorkel within a tectonic rift the eurasian plate on one side and the north american on the other. There is a unique site in iceland where the rifts between the tectonic plates are clearly visible.