Where Is the Silfra Fissure?

Silfra is a rift in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart at about 2 cm per year. The fissure is filled with glacial meltwater from Langjokull glacier that has been filtered through porous lava rock for 30-100 years before emerging at Silfra, resulting in some of the clearest water on Earth — visibility exceeds 100 metres. Water temperature remains 2-4 degrees Celsius year-round. Diving or snorkelling Silfra is the only place on Earth where you can swim directly between two continental plates, touching North America with one hand and Europe with the other (the plates are about 60 metres apart at the widest point). The fissure opened following earthquakes in 1789 and reaches depths of about 63 metres. Thingvellir itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the location where the Icelandic Althing (parliament) — one of the world oldest surviving parliamentary institutions — was established in 930 CE.