Divers wait in the rocks while hammerhead sharks circle above them

5 years ago
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Scuba divers in the Galapagos Islands were thrilled to be surrounded by dozens of circling hammerhead sharks.
The Galapagos Islands and the waters around them are home to some of the world's biggest and most interesting ocean animals. These divers perched themselves on a shelf created by a volcanic eruption nearly 4 million years ago and watched the currents sweep the marine life past them like the world's biggest Imax Theatre experience.
This is a unique part of the world where three major ocean currents converge and mix, delivering plankton, small fish, krill and other food to the surrounding waters in abundance. This food supply in turn, attracts larger fish, hammerhead sharks, Galapagos sharks, silky sharks, sea turtles, and the majestic whale sharks. The currents create an entire ecosystem and food chain that is unlike any other.
And understandably, the ocean life here also attracts scuba divers. The Galapagos Islands in Ecuador are among the world's most cherished and sought after dive destinations.
These divers slip into the water and fight the currents as they rapidly descend to the rocky ledges on the edge of a great abyss. They find shelter and hang on and then they watch the spectacle unfold in front of them. Enormous schools of hammerhead sharks drift past, sometimes within a few feet of the divers. They will see sharks drifting over their heads, in between them and all around. While this is enough to raise the heart rate of even a seasoned diver, these nature lovers know that hammerheads do not consider humans as food and aggression towards people is extremely rare.
But it is one thing to know this and another to completely believe it. The divers can't help but be in awe of the power and speed of the sharks as they cruise past them.
Entering the animals' domain requires respect and caution and improper behavior in this world can have serious consequences. These divers are fortunate enough to see a show that only happens for the privileged few.

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