How Icelanders Diverted an Erupting Volcano

Описание: On a stormy January night in 1973, a new volcano appeared on the Westman Islands off Iceland's south coast. A broken seismometer gave no warning but terrible weather at least meant fishing boats were in port to help islanders escape. What happened next, as lava from Eldfell snaked down to the harbour, has become the stuff of legends. It involves experiments with sea water jets, geothermal power from lava, a museum partly buried in ash, greater interest from cruise ships, a dual fuel ferry and ironically, a much safer anchorage.

Journalist Lesley Riddoch travelled to the Westman's main town Heimaey in October 2024 just as an eruption forced the people of Grindavik to flee. She interviewed women who were children in 1973, toured new land created that year with the town engineer who decided to stay while his family escaped and met a young hotel worker who recently returned home from the USA for a safer life.

How are Icelanders so comfortable with their volcanoes? And what does that teach us about determination and resilience?

This is one of three films in a series Resilient Iceland, which also includes Hveragerði; Iceland's Hot Springs Town and Geothermal – Iceland's affordable heat
#visiticeland
#volcano, #icelandtravel

Filmed, produced and researched by Lesley Riddoch
Edited by Chris Smith
Music by Asher Fulero.

Interviewees; Laurus Long, Páll Zóphóníasson, Jóhanna Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir, Ròsa Sveinsdòttir.
Thanks to Maria Ýr Kristjánsdóttir at Hotel Vestmannaeyjar, Visit South Iceland, Inspired by Iceland, Kristín Jóhannsdóttir at Eldheimar Museum and Easyjet.