Born from the depths of the sea itself, Iceland is still a youngster in geological terms. The country’s volcanic past provides some unique dive sites, including the opportunity to explore the marine life around a hydrothermal vent.

Volcanic Birth

Iceland was formed by volcanic action on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and has a surface area of just over 38,600 sq miles (100,000 sq km). The island is still experiencing an extraordinary level of volcanic activity, with 30 eruptions recorded in the last 200 years. Iceland’s coastline is classically volcanic, bristling with craggy inlets, dramatic cliff and rock formations, and fissured reefs.

There are two diving experiences in Iceland that are not found anywhere else in the world. The first is the legendary Strytan hydrothermal vent, which rises from a depth of 230 ft (70 m) to within 50 ft (15 m) of the water’s surface. Divers can see—and indeed feel—the hot water rising from the vent while enjoying the diverse invertebrate and fish life drawn into this oasis of warmth in an icy sea. The second is Silfra, a water-filled ravine in Thingvellir National Park. This is another dive that gives a marvelous insight into Iceland’s fiery origins. Part of a huge rift in Karth’s crust between the Kurasian and American continental plates, Silfra is filled with glacial meltwater that has been filtered through lava for decades, giving famously crystal-clear visibility.

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