'Incredible' icy dip between two continents in Iceland

'Incredible' icy dip between two continents in Iceland

Silfra was formed by an earthquake more than two centuries ago as a result of a tectonic drift
Silfra was formed by an earthquake more than two centuries ago as a result of a tectonic drift. Photo: Jeremie RICHARD / AFP
Source: AFP

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find “Recommended for you” block and enjoy!

In between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, Iceland's Silfra fissure is one of the world's most famous dive sites, popular with tourists who venture into its icy waters.

Visibility underwater can exceed 100 metres (330 feet) and the spectacle of light and darkness is hypnotic.

"When we entered the water, it was...," says Icelandic tourist Brynjolfur Bragason before pausing.

"Incredible," adds his wife Hildur Orradottir.

In the heart of Thingvellir National Park, on the edge of one of Iceland's largest lakes, corridors of submerged rocks form deep cavities in between the two continents, which move away from each other by about two centimetres every year.

Visibility underwater can exceed 100 metres (330 feet) and the spectacle of light and darkness is hypnotic
Visibility underwater can exceed 100 metres (330 feet) and the spectacle of light and darkness is hypnotic. Photo: Jeremie RICHARD / AFP
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

The orange reflections are mixed with various shades of blue in the more than 60-metre-deep rift, located in the southwestern part of the Atlantic island.

Read also

Broken homes: Ukrainians in east begin daunting rebuild

The beige sand and the phosphorescent green of the algae add to the colours.

"It looks like hair," says Camille Lund, a French-American tourist.

'Tingling' feeling

The fissure and the entire surrounding valley lie on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs through the island, making it one of the most active volcanic areas on Earth.

The fissure and the entire surrounding valley lie on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs through the island, making it one of the most active volcanic areas on Earth
The fissure and the entire surrounding valley lie on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs through the island, making it one of the most active volcanic areas on Earth. Photo: Jeremie RICHARD / AFP
Source: AFP

Silfra was formed by an earthquake more than two centuries ago as a result of a tectonic drift, and the clear waters come from the nearby Langjokull glacier, the second largest ice cap in the country.

Water travels for several decades through a tunnel of underground aquifers around 50 kilometres long.

"This whole filtration system through the volcanic rocks... gives us super clear water," Thomas Gov, a diving instructor from Toulouse in the south of France, told AFP.

Taking a dip in Silfra requires a lot of preparation: dry suit, diving gloves, swimming hat, mask, snorkel and fins.

Read also

Tug-of-war: Ukraine celebrates its tank-towing farmers

The equipment allows you to stay dry and float peacefully on the surface in water that stays between two and three degrees Celsius (35.6-37.4 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round.

Only part of the face and hands are exposed to the icy water.

Taking a dip in Silfra requires a lot of preparation: dry suit, diving gloves, swimming hat, mask, snorkel, and fins
Taking a dip in Silfra requires a lot of preparation: dry suit, diving gloves, swimming hat, mask, snorkel, and fins. Photo: Jeremie RICHARD / AFP
Source: AFP

"You can feel it in your lips right away: they go numb after a while and they are like tingling," says New Yorker Ian Zavatti, 13, standing next to his father.

Snorkelling is the most popular activity, but the more experienced and certified can dive with a scuba tank to a depth of 18 metres.

New feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.