On the final day of our voyage, we arrived in the idyllic town of Heimaey in the Westman Islands. Heimaey was nearly a modern-day Pompeii, if not for the quick thinking and heroic actions of its inhabitants. It appears to be a quaint and quiet town sitting in the shadow of an old volcano. But this volcano appeared suddenly just a few decades ago, forcing the townsfolk to flee the island for shelter — miraculously only a single person perished in this event. Today, Heimaey showcases its eruptive past while also being home to a plethora of puffins and a garish number of gannets; they also host a microcosmic music festival in the summer.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 15 Jul 2023
Heimaey, 7/15/2023, National Geographic Resolution
- Aboard the National Geographic Resolution
- Iceland