Drifting apart: Amazing underwater photos that show the growing gap between two tectonic plates

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 6:09 PM on 10th May 2011

 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.

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.

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.’

 [source dailymail]