WESTMAN ISLANDS - ICELAND'S BEST-KEPT SECRET
The Westman Islands are an archipelago south of Iceland, with a total of 15 islands and about 30 canals and rocks. Heimaey is the largest of the islands and the only one inhabited by Vestmannaeyjabær with about 4,300 inhabitants.
The islands have all formed during volcanic eruptions, 10,000-12,000 years ago. The Westman Islands are located in an extensive volcanic area that is about 38 km long and 30 km wide with 70-80 volcanoes both underwater and above water. A long-lasting eruption formed Surtsey in 1967. This lasted four years and is therefore the longest eruption in Icelandic history!
HISTORY AXIS
Herjólfur has been the name of four car ferries that have operated between Vestmannaeyjar and Landeyjahöfn/Þorlákshöfn. The current Herjólfur, the fourth in the series, was inaugurated on July 25th 2019, and is the first to be electrically friendly. Herjólfur IV takes about 65-70 cars and 540 passengers. The vessels are named after Herjólfur Bárðason, who is thought to be the first settler of the Westman Islands.