Download Drifting apart: Amazing underwater photos that show

Drifting apart: Amazing
underwater photos that show
the growing gap between two
tectonic plates
By Daily Mail Reporter
11 May 2014
Swimming through an area of extreme natural beauty, this diver surveys
the underwater canyons on his either side.
But this British scuba diver is actually between two tectonic plates.
Alex Mustard, 36, dived 80ft into the crevice between the North American
and Eurasian plates near Iceland to capture these spectacular photos.
Growing gap: Alex Mustard, dived 80ft into the crevice between the North
American and Eurasian plates near Iceland to capture these spectacular
photos
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail
The area is riddled with faults, valleys, volcanoes and hot springs, caused
by the plates pulling apart at about one inch per year.
Mr Mustard snapped away as he and his dive partners swam through
fresh water canyons Silfra, Nes and Nikulasargja, which are up to 200ft
deep.
He also took photos of the Arnarnes Strytur chimney, which forms a
cloudy plume as 80C water is ejected from Earth's crust and hits the cool
4C seawater.
Ripe for exploration: The area is riddled with faults, valleys, volcanoes
and hot springs, caused by the plates pulling apart at about one inch per
year
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail
Inspiration: Mr Mustard wanted to capture Iceland's underwater volcanic
features on film
Mr Mustard, from Southampton, said: 'The photos show diving in the
unique underwater world of Iceland which, like on land, is formed by the
volcanic landscape of the country.
'Many people visit Iceland to see these features on land but they also
continue underwater.
'For a scuba diver these are spectacular places to visit - being able to fly
through the clear water and explore the fault lines in three dimensions.
'I have dived all around the world and this is almost certainly the clearest
water I have ever been in.
'Many people have an experience of vertigo from the sheer walls and clear
water.'
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail
Mr Mustard swam through fresh water canyons Silfra, Nes and
Nikulasargja, which are up to 200ft deep
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail
Movements of the earth: Mr Mustard took his photos between the North
American and Eurasian tectonic plates at Iceland
Copyright where stated Alex Mustard
Acknowledgements to The Daily Mail