Silfra crack thingvellir lake national park thingvellir iceland

Thingvellir national park hours for the visiting centre is 9. If you didnt already know, iceland has a lot of volcanoes. The crack between two continents andrijadurlanac on july 12, 2018 no comments cool wow located in the thingvallavatn lake in the thingvellir national park in iceland, silfra is part of the atlantic rift the dividing line between the continents of europe and america. The specific area of interest will be the silfra crack in thingvellir lake, national park thingvellir. Silfra is a fissure between the north american and eurasian continental. Silfra crack iceland juli 2007 diving between two continen. A scuba diver is suspended in thingvellir lake, silfra, iceland. Larisa pelle, germany silfra the name is a variation on the word silver is a deep crack in the lava in the national park thingvellir in iceland.

On dive day, the weather was indecisive, but apparently, thats completely normal in iceland or so we were told. It is regarded as one of the best cold water dives in the world. Located 50 km east of reykjavik, this is icelands most historic site and one of its most scenic landscapes. The silfra is situated in the thingvellir national park, at the rim of the thingvellir lake, only 45 kilometers 28 miles from reykjavik city. Due to national park regulations, snorkeling in silfra is only possible with a local guide. Enjoy a onceinalifetime dive in the silfra ravine of icelands thingvellir national park on this 4hour experience. Silfra is an otherworldly scene located in the lava field directly on top of the continental rift valley between america and europe. Silfra drysuit snorkeling meet on location free photos. Snow and ice from glaciers 30 miles away is filtered through layers of rock before reaching thingvellir valley. Icelands geological and historical treasure our beautiful nordic island is filled with plenty of natural wonders for you to visit. So from a geological standpoint, silfra in particular is a fascinating area. Best snorkeling tours in silfra iceland guide to iceland.

The river oxara traverses the national park and is forming a waterfall at the almannagja, called oxarafoss together with the waterfall gullfoss and the geysirs of haukadalur. Silfra diving day tour at thingvellir national park extreme. There are many walking trails around the park and close by silfra, and many of the areas have information signs telling you about the historical. Snorkeling tours in iceland are conducted in silfra fissure, which can be found within. Located 50 km east of reykjavik, this is iceland s most historic site and one of its most scenic landscapes.

You wont actually reach the center of the earth diving at silfra, but the water is so clear you may almost think you can see. Transportation to and from silfra in thingvellir national park is not included, you need have your own vehicle to get there. During the tour, you will explore the four main parts of silfra. Visiting thingvellir national park is often part of the famous golden circle tour, but silfra is usually an excursion all of its own. Silfra diving between continents tour from thingvellir.

It is a stunningly beautiful area as well as being one of icelands most important historical sites. Don the supplied drysuit and scuba gear, and swim through the rifts crystalclear glacier waters, passing through the gap between the two submerged continental plates. Apr 11, 2018 the silfra fissure is located in thingvellir national park, about 60 km 37 miles from reykjavik. One of the most popular things to do when visiting iceland is a golden circle tour. Located in the thingvallavatn lake in the thingvellir national park in iceland, silfra is part of the atlantic rift the dividing line between the continents of europe and america. Silfra is a rift that opens into lake thingvallavatn in thingvellir national park.

Iceland is europes westernmost country and home to one of the top 5 dive sites in the world. Golden circle waterfall tour and volcano lake crater smallgroup on minibus. Book your tickets online for thingvellir national park, thingvellir. Silfra crack, thingvellir lake, national park thingvellir, iceland the dive between the continents. And for tourists, its noteworthy because the body of water where these plates meet at thingvellir national park is a stunning blue color with incredible visibility. The gap between europe and the united states is widening by one inch a year. Scattered across the park are 50 booths belonging to the althing, built from turf and stone. It is part of the tectonic plate boundary between the north american and the eurasian plate. The oldest parliament of the world was founded here in 930 on lake. The earthquakes that struck thingvellir in 1789, along with the divergent movement of both plates, have only deepened and widened the crack. Thingvallavatn is the largest natural lake in iceland with a surface of 84km2.

Tectonic plate and drysuit scuba diving between continents. You dont need a diving license to go snorkeling in iceland. My dive adventure started off setting off the local commercial dive center and getting to know my dive master for the day who will be taking the dive group for scuba diving in lake silfra. Go snorkeling at one of icelands most historic sites in some of the clearest water in the world. Iceland being geographically situated on the edge of the arctic circle, occupies a strategic location in the north atlantic. Here, absolutely pure water from 36 to 40 degrees f emerges from the ground and fills silfra crack, creating a constant, mild current and amazing visibility as far as the eye can see. Day tour snorkeling in silfra at thingvellir nonnitravel. Silfra is the place where american and european tectonic plates meet, and you can go diving between them. Dive site silfra in thingvellir national park, iceland dive. Between february 2015 and february 2016, almost 700,000 people visited. To participate on a silfra fissure snorkeling tour, you have two options. On the lakes northern shore the silfra fissure is a popular diving and snorkelling tour location. The valley, and silfra itself, were formed by the divergent tectonic. Diving in silfra crack, thingvellir lake, national park.

It has been voted one of the worlds top coldwater dive. Thingvellir national park in iceland arctic adventures. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it. Thingvellir national park all you need to know before you. We are here on a visit and part of our iterinary is to stop here in the thingvellir national park. The valley, and silfra itself, were formed by the divergent tectonic drift of the eurasian and north american plates. Tectonic plates are breaking iceland apart at silfra, creating a fissure flooded with crystal clear 35f degree glacial water. It began in 930 on the site of lake thingvallavatn which is icelands largest natural lake. Silfra fissure snorkeling tour thingvellir national park. It is a stunningly beautiful area as well as being one of iceland s most important historical sites. Aug 14, 2016 diving between the north american and eurasian continental plates in thingvellir national park in iceland. It is about a 1hour drive from reykjavik 40mi60km by car. They are located just below the western fault line of the icelandic graben within the boundaries of the first national park, which was established in 19 30.

Thanks to its great location, a silfra snorkeling tour can be easily combined with other adventures and sightseeing tours. This remarkable crack between two tectonic plates is therefore filled with the clearest water on our planet, allowing for over 100 meters visibility. If you wish to partake in a tour here, you must wear a drysuit or wetsuit to stay comfortable in the 23c water. Snorkeling in the silfra fissure is a once in a lifetime experience that you dont want to miss.

Perfect for those who have a rental car, drive to our snorkeling base at. Thingvellir national park all you need to know before. In 1789, a major earthquake took place in the thingvellir area and opened up several fissures. Thingvellir national park travel guide national shrine of iceland how to get there. We offer daily tours where you get the chance to float between the two continental plates while enjoying the clarity of the water.

Silfra dive in thingvellir national park, iceland youtube. Combine your silfra snorkeling with other adventures. Snorkeling in iceland silfra snorkeling extreme iceland. There are many walking trails around the park and close by silfra, and many of the. Dive site silfra in thingvellir national park, iceland. Go snorkeling in the silfra rift, part of thingvallavatn lake. Silfra is a natural glacial spring, boasting water visibility that exceeds 100 m 330 ft. Its a huge crack in the earths surface, where the continental plates meet and which is slowing widening by about two centimeters per year. Ion hotel is set on the edge of thingvellir national park, in the region of nesjavellir in southwest iceland. The parliamentary plains are the most important historic site of the country. Silfra diving day tour at thingvellir national park. South iceland thingvellir national park visit south iceland. Thingvellir national park 2020 all you need to know before.

The silfra fissure is located in thingvellir national park, about 60 km 37 miles from reykjavik. Aug 22, 2019 snorkeling in iceland at the silfra fissure. The silfra fissure is located in thingvellir national park, near the peninsula of reykjanes and the hengill volcanic area. Attractions at thingvellir national park classic iceland. Thingvellir national park 2020 all you need to know. From lava fields to glacier lagoons and even the dazzling northern lights, iceland is a land blessed with abundant natural beauty. Snorkeling silfra, thingvellir national park, iceland. Beautiful surroundings of thingvellir unesco world heritage site.

These spectacular underwater photographs show the vast gap between the two tectonic plates, as seen. It was about 45 minutes or 40 kilometers by car from icelands capital city of reykjavik to thingvellir national park, the site of the world renown silfra crack. Here, absolutely pure water from 36 to 40 degrees f emerges from the ground and fills silfra crack, creating a constant, mild. Discover the national park of thingvellir iceland going to thingvellir is having a first encounter with the icelandic countryside and its national park at 28 miles northeast of reykjavik, where althing sessions were hold over one thousand years ago the most ancient parliament in the world. Located in south iceland, the park is steeped in history and was designated as a world heritage site in 2004. It is about 5 to 10 meters wide and 200 meters long.

Icelands silfra fissure is located within the heart of thingvellir national park. A diver submerges into silfra canyon, a deep fault filled with fresh water in between the eurasian and american tectonic plates at thingvellir national park, iceland. Silfra is a rift formed in the divergent tectonic boundary between the north american and eurasian plates and is located in the. Silfra is located in thingvellir national park, one of the main sites of the golden circle. Diving in silfra iceland at thingvellir national park. Located just 45 minutes drive from reykjavik, and the first stop on the golden circle, these numbers are only expected to increase with the rate of tourism. Iceland being geographically situated on the edge of the arctic circle, occupies a. Diving between the north american and eurasian continental plates in thingvellir national park in iceland. Jul 16, 20 located in the thingvallavatn lake in the thingvellir national park in iceland, silfra is part of the atlantic rift the dividing line between the continents of europe and america. At the south end of the thingvellir fault lines is a large lake, as you can see in the picture below. Best scuba diving destinations silfra, iceland aquaviews. The river oxara traverses the national park and forms a waterfall at the almannagja, called oxararfoss.