Capelinhos began as a submarine eruption off the west coast
of the island of Fayal in the Azores on September 27th, 1957.
The eruption lasted approximately one year.
Eventually becoming connected to the western end of Fayal.
Wet pyroclastic surges buried the lower portions of the Fayal
lighthouse though the lighthouse remains intact, but battered, today.
The island's population were less fortunate in that their
houses and farmlands were destroyed.
This led to the largest emigration of Portugese of the modern
era; mostly to the United States.
The stamps below were issued on September 27th, 2007 to celebrate
the 50th anniversary of the eruption.
They were accompanied by the following souvenir sheet
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