V. alþjóðamótið, Vestmannaeyjum - 28.05.1985, Side 10

. . . within easy reach of the mainland, off the south coast, the Westman Islands group is made up of about
fifteen islands and thirty skerries and reefs dotted about the rocky coasts.
Only one island, the largest, is inhabited: five thousand people live on Heimaey, in lceland’s most productive
fishing port and processing centre.
When a violent volcanic eruption broke out on the night of January 23, 1973, the entire population of 5,300
was evacuated in a matter of hours, without a single casualty. Not until May did the eruption die down,
leaving half the town buried under a layer of lava, while the rest was covered with ash. A total of 400 homes
were destroyed in the eruption, and many more suffered damage. When the harbour and freezing plant were
threatened by the approaching lava, rescue teams took the bold step of diverting the lava by cooling it with
millions of litres of ice-cold seawater, with the end result that the flow of lava into the sea greatly improved
harbour facilities. As rescue and restoration work continued, the refugees gradually moved back to their
much-altered and enlarged island — today the population has reached about the same level as before the
eruption.
The Westman Islands for nature lovers.
A visit to the bird colonies of the Westman Islands is unforgettable — nature lovers are tempted back again
and again to enjoy the outdoor life, unspoiled nature and abundant bird life, one of the most attractive
elements of the island environment, guaranteed to impress young and old alike, both natives and foreigners.
Air connections are frequent between Reykjavik and Heimaey, and the islands are also linked to the mainland by a car
and passenger ferry from the port of Thorlákshöfn, on the south coast about an hour’s drive from Reykjavlk.
The town has a good hotel, several guesthouses, cafés, licensed restaurants and pubs, a cinema, a theatre, supermarkets,
hospital, pharmacy, dentists, and one of lceland’s best sports centres with swimming pool, etc.
Herjólfur
Ferry Company
FERÐASKRIFSTOFA
VESTMANNAEYJA
For further information contact:
Westman Islands Travel Ltd.
P.O. Box 260, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, lceland
Tel. (9)8-2800/2850 Telex 2259 travey is