Vestmannaeyjar came to international attention in 1973 with the eruption of Eldfell volcano, which destroyed many buildings and forced a months-long evacuation of the entire population to mainland Iceland.
Approximately one fifth of the town was destroyed before the lava flow was halted by application of 6.8 billion litres of cold sea water.
About 1500 people decided not to come back to the islands.
In 1979 We visited Heimaey, in the archipelago south of Iceland mainland, which is the only inhabited island here, and home to Eldfell. You could still boil an egg in the lava ashes, and putting down a finger would make your skin peeling off.
Our plan was to revisit now, 40 years later, to see in what ways the island had changed.
The photos show the views from the ferry takeoff and in the header, you can spot the whole range of the archipelago islands in the distance.



A particular place with an uncommon light, love it.
robert
Happy to share a place of special light with you!
Pingback: Thursday Thoughts – Heimaey, Vestmannaeyar | Leya
What an amazing landscape. Great photos Ann-Christine 🙂
Thank you, Brian! In fact this was the only rainy day we had – but photos almost always come out well despite/because of it!
The stormy look only enhanced the photos 🙂
I believe they usually do!
As someone who lives amongst fairly lively seismic activity, I can really appreciate how extraordinary this place must be.
Thank you, Sue – well you have your fair share down there. I understand you learn to live with it without fear. You have to.
Fascinating. The vehicles in that last shot somehow look like toys to me. 😊
I agree. The surroundings and weather play a big part in this. I can feel it too.