Can a continental plate be underwater?
In this crack between the Eurasian and North American continents, divers can touch two continental plates underwater at the same time—an experience that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.
Where can you touch two tectonic plates?
There’s one tiny spot in Iceland where you can touch 2 continents at once
- The Silfra fissure in Thingvellir National Park is one of the top dive sites in the world.
- A crack between two tectonic plates, it’s the only spot on Earth where you can swim between North America and Europe.
Why is scuba diving in Silfra fissure Iceland so geologically unique?
The Geology of Silfra Silfra is the only place in the world where you can dive or snorkel directly in a crack between two tectonic plates. The water is therefore extremely pure by the time it reaches the north end of Thingvellir lake and it allows for underwater visibility of over 100 meters in Silfra.
Where can you touch two continents?
Silfra fissure
It’s easy to see why Silfra fissure is a favorite spot for divers. Not only is the water so pure they can drink it, but it also offers visibility of more than 300 feet. Oh, and they can also touch two continents at once.
Where can you swim between two continents?
Iceland’s Silfra fissure is one of the only places where you can dive between two continents. In some cases the space is so narrow, you can touch North America and Europe at once.
Could a tectonic plate break?
The breaking of a tectonic plate did happen, and while it came as a huge shock, the world continued functioning normally. The main reason why tectonic plates can break is earthquakes. Of course, it takes an especially powerful earthquake to achieve this.
Where is the clearest water in the world with tectonic plates?
Running the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the Silfra Fissure is a deep ridge carving through Thingvellir National Park. Home to some of the clearest water in the world, it’s the perfect place for a spot of snorkelling – and the perfect ammo for office bragging rights.
Does Silfra have fish?
Throughout the rest of the year, the only fish who live in the Silfra fissure are the Dwarf Char, a subspecies of the Arctic Char. These range in size from a few centimetres, to approximately 10cm maximum, and live down in the darker recesses near the rocks and as such are not often spotted by divers or snorkelers.
Is Silfra snorkeling worth it?
At first, it might not sound appealing to go snorkeling in Iceland, but it’s a unique experience you don’t want to miss during your trip to Iceland. Silfra snorkeling is cold but so worth it. And luckily you get to wear a dry suit and other gear to keep you warm.
Where is the clearest water in the world tectonic plates?
Silfra Fissure
Running the boundary of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, the Silfra Fissure is a deep ridge carving through Thingvellir National Park. Home to some of the clearest water in the world, it’s the perfect place for a spot of snorkelling – and the perfect ammo for office bragging rights.
What continent is Iceland?
Europe
Iceland/Continent
It is relatively isolated, as the shortest distances to the European continent are 970 km to Norway and 798 km to Scotland. Iceland is the second-largest island in Europe and the third largest in the Atlantic Ocean and its northernmost part is just south of the Arctic circle.
Can you walk between tectonic plates?
Thingvellir (or, in Icelandic, Þingvellir) is the only place in the world where you can stand between two continental plates, in a distinctive geological landscape that changes every year.