Vestmannaeyjabær

Volcanic landscapes in Vestmannaeyjabær

Volcanic Landscapes of Heimaey

The Westman Islands offer a concentrated look at Iceland’s volcanic activity and coastal erosion. This selection features Eldfell, the cone formed during the 1973 eruption that nearly destroyed Heimaey's harbor, and the older, dormant Helgafell. The list also includes Surtsey, a UNESCO World Heritage site created by undersea eruptions in the 1960s, and Heimaklettur, the archipelago's highest peak composed of palagonite tuff. These sites illustrate the geological transition from ancient sea cliffs to newly formed lava fields and sea caves.

Volcanic Landscapes of Heimaey — Map

Simisa / CC BY-SA 2.5

A

Eldfell

Eldfell is a volcanic cone just over 200 metres high on the Icelandic island of Heimaey.

B

Helgafell

Helgafell is an inactive 227 m volcanic cone located on the island of Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago in Iceland.

Hansueli Krapf / CC BY-SA 4.0

C

Home Rock

The highest peak in the Westman Islands at 283 meters. This palagonite tuff formation dates back to the Ice Age and is accessible via a series of wooden ladders, providing views over the town of Heimaey and the Icelandic mainland.

D

Surtsey

A volcanic island and UNESCO World Heritage site formed by submarine eruptions between 1963 and 1967. It serves as a natural laboratory for studying ecological colonization, with human access strictly limited to scientific researchers.

E

Páskahellir

A small sea cave located on the eastern shore of Heimaey. Formed by wave erosion in the lava from the 1973 Eldfell eruption, it features unique rock textures and is accessible via a coastal hiking trail.

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