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Heimaey facts for kids

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Heimaey
Vestmannaeyjar archipelago topographic map-en.svg
The Vestmannaeyjar archipelago with Heimaey at the top right.
Geography
Location  Iceland
Coordinates 63°26′N 20°16′W / 63.433°N 20.267°W / 63.433; -20.267
Archipelago Vestmannaeyjar
Administration
Demographics
Population 4,500

Heimaey (pronounced HEY-mah-ey) means Home Island in English. It is a cool island in Iceland. Heimaey is the biggest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, which is a group of 15 islands.

This island is about 13.4 square kilometers (5.2 sq mi) in size. It is located about 7.4 kilometers (4.6 miles) away from the south coast of Iceland. Heimaey is special because it is the only island in the Vestmannaeyjar group where people live! Around 4,500 people call Heimaey their home.

Island Life and Nature

Heimaey is known for its amazing natural beauty. The island has tall cliffs and green hills. It is a great place to see puffins, which are cute birds with colorful beaks. They nest on the cliffs during the summer.

Volcanoes: Eldfell and Helgafell

Heimaey is home to two volcanoes: Eldfell and Helgafell. Eldfell is a newer volcano that formed during a big eruption in 1973. Before that, Helgafell was the main volcano on the island.

The 1973 Eldfell Eruption

In January 1973, Eldfell suddenly erupted. This was a big surprise because the volcano had been quiet for a long time. Lava and ash started to pour out. The eruption forced almost all the people living on Heimaey to leave their homes. They were safely taken to mainland Iceland.

The lava flow threatened to close off the island's important harbor. But the people of Heimaey fought back! They used powerful pumps to spray cold seawater onto the hot lava. This helped to cool it down and stop it from flowing into the harbor. It was an incredible effort that saved their town and port.

After the eruption, the island grew bigger because of the new lava. The eruption also created new land and changed the shape of the island. Today, you can still see the heat from the volcano in some places.

The Town and Harbor

The main town on Heimaey is also called Vestmannaeyjar. It is a busy fishing town. The harbor is very important for the island's economy. Many fishing boats use the harbor to bring in their catch.

The town has schools, shops, and a hospital. It is a lively place, especially during the summer when tourists come to visit. People can explore the volcanic landscapes, watch birds, and learn about the island's history.

Images for kids

  • Acantilados de Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 055

    View of the island's cliffs

  • Acantilados de Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 053

    Another view of the island

  • Acantilados de Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 024

    Cliffs of Heimaey

  • Roca del elefante, Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 043

    A rock formation that looks like an elephant

  • Puerto de Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 093

    Vestmannaeyjar harbor in Heimaey

  • Puerto de Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 017-019 PAN

    Heimaey harbor in 2014.

  • Heimaey

    View from the Helgafell volcano, looking north-west

  • Helgafell, Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 008

    Helgafell volcano

  • Eldfell, Heimaey, Islas Vestman, Suðurland, Islandia, 2014-08-17, DD 067

    Eldfell volcano

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Heimaey para niños

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Heimaey Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.