The volcano Heimaey (Eldfell) is located off the south coast
of Iceland in the Vestmannaeyjar Islands.
The volcano began erupting on January 23rd, 1973 and continued
until June 23rd.
The Island was largely evacuated.
Lava threatened to close the only harbor on the Island.
Through judicious use of water pumps, the islanders believe
they managed to stop the forward progress of the lava.
The eruption was magnitude VEI 3.
The stamps, illustrated below (courtesy Knud-Erik Andersen)
were issued January 25th 1975.
For details of the eruption go to Volcano
World
The first day cover shown below was issued by Greenland.
The stamp being engraved by the master, Czeslaw Slania.
An enlarged view of the stamp is shown below
The stamp below shows the Vestmannaeyjar harbor issued in
1950
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