One of the most spectacular places on Earth, accessible to tourists, is the Silfra in Iceland. It separates two major tectonic plates and diving and dream landscape enthusiasts have the opportunity to swim between two continents. It is the place with the purest water on the ground.
Swimming between two Adventure Vikings photo continents
In addition to the ultra -known tourist areas, crowded by tourists, there are numerous places on Earth, little known, but which offer unique, unmatched experiences. One of these places is the Silfra rift in Iceland. In fact, the whole “fire and ice” lands “of North Atlantic, as Iceland is known, offers incredible experiences to any tourist who ventures in the area of the Polar Circle. The peak, although it seems at the end of the world, in Iceland it is not as difficult as it seemed. In addition, the sensations experienced in Silfra, the only place where you can slip, between two continents, deserves every kilometers. The Silfra rift, in the Thingvellir National Park, is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
A miracle of nature, part of UNESCO heritage
The story of Rift Silfra begins with the formation of Iceland. The island in the North Atlantic is above the mid-Atlantic ridge, the longest underwater mountain chain. The ridge formed as a result of the divergent movement of the tectonic, Asian and North American plates, which released lava waves directly from the mantle. In contact with the cold water of the North Atlantic, the lava was strengthened, adding layer by layer.
After the formation of the mid-Atlantic ridge was born the island of Iceland, about 150 million years ago. Tectonic and volcanic activities have remained active so far, fabulous modeling the Icelandic landscape. The most spectacular is the Thingvellir National Park, which became part of the UNESCO heritage. It is considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth. “One of the most notable characteristics of Mid-Atlantic Ridge is that a deep valley of one of the rifts is visible above the sea level. And this can only be observed in Iceland, in the Thingvellir National Park, the only place in the world that hosts such a geological show.”the Icelanders from “Arctic Adventures” say.
Diving in the silphra photo photo adventurevikings.is
This unique place offers iconic landscapes, valleys of the underwater mountains that have fought up to the sea level, lakes, spectacular massifs, glacial springs that collapse into picturesque waterfalls. A paradise created by the force of nature. In this northern heaven is also Riftul Silfra. It is a fracture between the tectonic plates, a break between two continents that have filled over time with the crystalline waters of the glaciers. Silfra is composed of three sections: the big room, the cathedral and the lagoon.
The place with the purest water in the world
Rift Silfra is a true miracle of nature, a place that leaves you speechless. The water that filled the rift is so crystalline that it is seen without problems up to 100 meters deep (the maximum depth of the rift). In addition, water is the purest in the world. It comes from Langjokull glacier, 60 kilometers away from Silfra. In addition, the water that reaches the rift passes through a filter area made up of volcanic rocks that purify it.
“The water in the Silfra fissure is extremely pure and crystalline. It comes exclusively from the melting of the Languokull glacier located 60 kilometers. North. The water flows slowly in the silhofra, below the ground, after a long journey through the porous volcanic rocks. Before the water flows in the rift, the lava field acts. The lava field is traveled, being considered the most effective method of filtering on Earth ”the experts from “Arctic Adventures” state.
This is why in the viking silfra wheat means “silver”. Extremely spectacular is the “cathedral”, a large underwater world, of an unreal blue, where small underwater fish can be observed. The lagoon also offers incredible experiences, and in the crack it is really a color show, especially due to the algae species in different colors. Including the “trolley hair” of a light green, almost neon.
Swimming between two continents
It is precisely because of these characteristics and the natural show, Silfra is a true heaven of nature passionate, but especially snorkeling and diving. At Silfra you have the opportunity to actually swim between two continents, Eurasia and North America.
Ride through the silphra photo photo adventureviking.is
“The countless reflections similar to the blue and green, make this location ideal for snorkeling and diving, the only ways in which you can truly discover the magic and icredible world of Rift Silfra”states those from “Arctic Adventures”. According to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi), the Silfra rift is in the top 10 of the best diving locations in the world. In this crack in the terrestrial bark, anyone can sink between two continents. Some prefer to take special photos, others just meditate or explore the beauty of nature.
How can you get to Silfra and how much a tour costs
In order to reach Riftul Silfra we have to make a road from Bucharest to Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. The shortest flight by plane lasts 7 hours and 25 awesome. From Reykjavík and to the Silfra rift is reached quickly. The distance is only 53 kilometers. It is preferable a rented field car for a trip to the Thingvellir National Park.
Different companies offer tours of Rift Silfra, offering diving equipment and assistance. The complete, completely rift, with all three component parts costs 266 dollars. The guides take over the tourists from Reykjavík and deal with between the route, which lasts over six hours. At a long distance from Silfra there are other spectacular goals, including the famous geysers. The best accommodations are found in Reykjavík, and the prices, for one night, for two people, start from 80 euros.
