Heimæy

As America separates from Europe the earth splits open and lava pours out. The 1973 eruption came from the cone in the background, pouring out towards the harbor on the left. The whole island is only 3 miles long. The red part of the map shows the new lava area – adding a third to the island.

Looking from the crater back towards the place where the above picture was taken. And walking the crater rim, where wind-blown ash may be visible in the shadows.

The reminders of the eruption are everywhere. Perhaps the church was saved by divine intervention, but not the water tank. This is a double walled church, effectively a church within a church.

The ash that covered town came up to the base of the cemetery arch. The residents removed it by hand, dumping it into the streets, where dozers loaded it into trucks. At the height of the cleanup, 7000 m³ were trucked to the sea daily. Yes, that dog is sleeping on the wall, awaiting the next eruption or supper, whichever comes first.