Exploring the Tectonic Plates with Dive Silfra

Iceland is the only place in the world where diving between tectonic plates is possible. Silfra Fissure is a unique geological formation, which affords visitors the once in a lifetime chance to experience Iceland by diving and snorkelling in between tectonic plates. Dive Silfra is a certified guide company that offers tours for snorkelling in Iceland to see the tectonic plates, as well as diving between the tectonic plates, to make your trip to Iceland one you’ll never forget.

Silfra Fissure is located within the UNESCO designated Thingvellir National Park, within an hour’s drive from Reykjavík. The fissure is evidence of Iceland’s unmatched geological wonder since it is the result of the literally earth-shaking movements of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates. Iceland is part of the Mid-Atlantic ridge, an underwater mountain range that spans from the top of Greenland all the way to the south Atlantic, and was formed millions of years ago by the eruptions and cooling of lava, which still occur and contribute to Iceland’s constant volcanic activity. Every year, the two tectonic plates shift further apart by about 2cm.

What makes Silfra Fissure truly exceptional is that when the earth cracked open, it broke through an underground spring, which filled the fissure with pristine water. A later volcanic eruption blocked the flow of water, which was connected to the Langjökull glacier, so that now the water seeps slowly through a massive lava field, becoming filtered to a crystal clarity by the time it reaches the fissure. This clarity is what draws divers and snorkelers from all over the world to submerse themselves in the unparalleled beauty of Silfra’s waters.

Divers can visit the three main sections of Silfra Fissure, named respectively the Hall, Cathedral, and Lagoon. At its deepest, the fissure reaches almost 60 meters, though divers only reach 18 m. The underwater-scape is one of the most spectacular sights you will see in Iceland, with a palate of blues, greens, purples, and pale golds, the dramatic walls of lava, huge boulders, sand, and algae. At certain points, divers can actually touch both tectonic plates at once—a feature you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

Committed to providing visitors with a safe and fun underwater experience, Dive Silfra operates with industry-leading safety standards and equipment, and offers tours designed for any level of expertise. The company is Icelandic owned and run, with PADI^® certified professional guides who lead tours with the ethos of enjoying Silfra’s spectacular beauty while respecting its fragile eco-system. For more information, visit www.divesilfra.is

Heiðrún Ólafsdóttir
Content Manager/ Marketing
Dive Silfra
Vatnagarðar 8, 104 Reykjavík
+354 519-0709
marketing@divesilfra.is