The first day cover illustrated below, exhibits the complete
set depicting the VEI 4 eruption which took place in Iceland in 1947.
The stamps were issued on December 3rd 1948.
Above the FDC is an overprint, issued March 31st, 1954
The eruption actually began on the 29th of March, 1947 and
lasted till the 28th of April, 1948.
It produced both fatalities and damage.
A previous eruption of VEI 5 took place in 1104 AD.
An eruption of VEI 5+ is recorded for 950 BC.
The earliest dated eruption occured in 5850 BC.
Most Icelandic eruptions generally involve the relatively
slow effusion of lavas, Hekla (and Katla) are exceptions with very explosive
activity.
(courtesy Knud-Erik Andersen)
The stamp showing lava from Hekla below, was issued November
16th, 1978.
Volcano depicted on painting by Jon Stefansson
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