News
Enter Valhalla: flooded nuclear missile silo a playground for scuba divers
A decommissioned US nuclear missile silo in the US that was abandoned after the Cold War and left to fill up with water for nearly 50 years is now being used as a dive site.
The deserted military site lies below the desert somewhere in Texas, known only to a network of scuba divers who seek to penetrate the depths of the 127 foot deep flooded silo.
The silo is known to divers as Valhalla, a hall in Norse mythology where dead warriors can find peace in the afterlife.
Underwater photographer Brandon Hatcher, 36, explored the unique dive site. “It is really quiet and still in the abandoned silo, and any noise you make echoes”, he said.
“The water was undisturbed – the surface looked like glass before I jumped in.
“I felt completely cut off from the world. The site is in the middle of the desert in a giant wind farm, when you arrive you can only hear the sound of the turbines.
“But once you are underground it’s just you and whoever you’re with… it’s quite surreal.”
Located southwest of Abilene, in Texas, Valhalla Missile Silo is the only site of its kind in the world. It flooded when water started to seep through the four foot thick concrete after it closed in the Sixties.
To get to the pool, divers must carry their equipment down five flights of stairs, through corridors flanked by blast doors and into the derelict control centre.
Divers then enter the silo, a cavernous 172 foot tall chamber below 60 foot wide launch doors.
At the bottom of the pool is a forest of twisted scrap metal – the remains of walkways and staircases and walkways which used to allow technicians access to the nuclear-tipped Atlas rocket housed in the silo.
Brandon, from Atlanta, Georgia, said “It’s pitch black in the water, so if you turn your torch off you can’t see a thing.
“It can be quite disorienting; you don’t know if you are up or down. I had to look at my dive computer to check I was actually moving.
“But the water is very clear so you can see as far as the torch light will reach.
“When I was floating and looking down, I could see my buddies 50 feet below me.”
The missile silo was built by the US government in 1963. The government built a series of intercontinental ballistic missile silos throughout Texas to act as a part of the mutually assured destruction deterrent during the Cold War.
Two years after it was built the Atlas missile became obsolete and the site was decommissioned. The missiles were modified to launch astronauts and satellites into space.
The contents of the silo were sold for salvage, the launch doors sealed and the site was left to fill with groundwater.
Mark and Linda Hannifin bought the silo in 2000 and now offer diver training through their company Dive Valhalla.
The water has been tested to ensure it is not radioactive.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
News
Palau Resurfaces! Visit Us at boot 2025 in Duesseldorf and Discover Why!
Following a period away, Palau – a dream destination for countless divers – is excited to rejoin the boot water sports show in Duesseldorf, Germany.
This prestigious water sports show, taking place from January 18 to 26, 2025, provides Palau with a platform to showcase its unique offerings in diving, snorkelling, and sustainable tourism.
Located in the western Pacific’s Micronesian region and part of the Caroline Islands, the Republic of Palau comprises over 340 picturesque islands. Although small in landmass, Palau is a natural wonder both above and below the water.
Palau is renowned as a global leader in environmental conservation. Years ago, the nation implemented forward-thinking measures to preserve its natural resources. In 2009, Palau became the world’s first national shark sanctuary, banning commercial shark fishing. To further protect its marine ecosystem, home to over 1,500 fish species and about 700 coral species, Palau established a fully protected marine sanctuary spanning 193,000 square miles in 2015.
Palau’s return to the boot shows marks a significant moment for the island nation, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity. Visitors to the Palau booth will discover a vision of sustainable tourism, as environmental stewardship is deeply ingrained in the islanders’ way of life.
“We are thrilled to return to Germany and share the beauty and diversity of Palau with the world,” says Kadoi Ruluked, Managing Director of the Palau Visitors Authority, who will lead the delegation at the trade show. “boot provides an outstanding platform to position Palau as a premier destination for sustainable tourism and a true paradise for underwater adventures.”
Amid growing global efforts toward eco-friendly tourism, Palau continues to set benchmarks with initiatives such as the “Palau Pledge.” By signing this pledge, visitors commit to respecting and protecting the environment during their stay. These and other measures will be highlighted at the event to raise awareness of marine ecosystem conservation.
The boot water sports show offers a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Palau’s culture and natural beauty while planning unforgettable diving and snorkelling trips. The Palau Visitors Authority warmly invites all attendees to explore their booth and experience the unspoiled charm of Palau.
Learn everything there is to know about this extraordinary destination at
Hall 12, booth nr. E42.
The exhibition runs from January 18 to 26, 2025, in Duesseldorf.
For more information or to schedule interviews and meetings, please contact: Judith Hoppe, WhatsApp: +49-151-5523 1966, e-mail palau@tourism-unlimited.com
For more information about Palau, please visit: www.pristineparadisepalau.com or follow us on social media at https://www.instagram.com/visitpalau/ or https://www.facebook.com/pristineparadisepalau/
Photo credit: © Judith Hoppe
Gear Reviews
Gear Review: SurfEars 4
Let me get this out there at the start… it is not possible for me to write an unbiased review on SurfEars! Why? – because they saved my diving career. That may sound over-dramatic, but it is true. I had been told by my ENT specialist that I should stop diving. Repeated perforations, including a stint of 4 infections causing ear drum ruptures in a single year, meant that things looked very bleak. Until a friend recommended that I get in touch with the team at SurfEars and to try them out.
That was over 5 years ago, and I have not looked back. Not a single ear infection in all the dives since. If you want to read my initial review of SurfEars then you can find it here: https://www.scubaverse.com/gear-review-surfears/
So, I was more than pleased to receive the latest SurfEars 4 to try out. I took them on a recent trip to The Bahamas where I was filming for a new project all about sharks. SurfEars come in a handy pod that I secure to my BCD so that I am sure not to forget to take them on the boat and to put them in before I head into the water. The new model comes in 2 new colours and have a range of fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Once in, you can still hear what is going on around you. Vital for any last-minute instructions for your dive.
Underwater they do their job in keeping water out. It is still just as easy to equalise the pressure, as air movement is not restricted at all. The new fittings mean that I can change to a slightly smaller fitting to wear under my hood for cold water diving. Once in, I just forget all about them, and enjoy my diving (snorkeling and swimming) with complete peace of mind.
The new version of SurfEars is now using recycled ocean plastic and repurposed silicone so are more eco-friendly. They are said to be even tougher and will last longer. Although my previous set were still going strong.
Whatever your chosen water sport – I cannot recommend SurfEars enough. Whilst they literally enabled me to continue diving, I would suggest using them to protect your ears before any unwanted trips to the doctor. I never go in the water without them. They are at the top of my packing list for any trip.
For more information head to: https://surfears.com/
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