Wild Adventures: Westman Islands and Spectacular waterfalls

We started off early on the morning of the 22nd Sept from our hotel in Keflavik, having arrived late the evening prior. The plan for the day was a 2 hour drive to the South of the island to the tiny ferry port of landeyjahofn and from where we would board a car ferry for the short 30 minute journey to Heimaey, one of the only populated islands that form the group known as the Westman Islands.

With a population of around only 5000 the islands Heimaey found its notoriety after the famous eruption of 1973 in which Mt Eldfell spewed millions of tonnes of lava onto the town, burying many houses in its wake. Many documentaries have been shown that show how villagers and fireman defiantly battled for months pumping water from the sea in an effort to stop the lava shutting off the harbour entrance. Despite many people laughing at the attempts of man vs. nature and after spraying 6.2 million tonnes of sea water the harbour was saved and now as well as being a holiday destination for many Icelanders it is also a site of interest to see the evidence of the eruption and the new land which the eruption created. Increasing the size of the island by around 15%.

On the way to the port we passed so many points of interest, especially for 'closet' geology geeks such as Andy and I! Seeing Mt Hekla, although shrouded in dark and gloomy cloud was most definately one of the highlights.. Hekla is considered Icelands most active volcano and classified as a 'stratovolcano' (so defined by the shape and the type of eruption). Having last erupted in 2000 and on average erupting around every ten years she is well 'overdue' for her next famously explosive eruptions. With increased seismic activity of late and her mass growing it may not be much longer until she lets the world know that she is not ready to sleep yet!

During much of the journey the air was filled by the stench of sulpher, as a result of the many sulpher fumeroles that dotted the often barren but still fascinating landscape. As we neared the ferry the rain that we had so hoped would not come did and it came with force and by the looks of things it was here to stay. For a while we considered whether to even embark on the trip to the islands, but given there was a glimmer of light in that direction we decided that our chances of escaping the rain were probably better offshore!

The island did not disappoint, passing on the way many of the outlying islands, huge monoliths of volcanic rock jutting from the sea bed. With many birds nesting on the high cliffs and the only creatures now to call the surrounding islands home.

Thankfully there was only a smattering of rain on the island as we looked back at ghe dark clouds over the mainland. So with just a few hours to explore we visited all the sites we had wanted to, including Mt Eldfell and the trail of destruction that she left behind. As well as circumnavigating this small island in our hire car. The island was surrounded by icy cold waves crashing against the shoreline and a few seals who popped up every now and then. The only missing piece being the Puffins that the island is also famed for, but thats just another excuse to one day come back!

As we arrived back on the mainland in the early evening after a great day on Heimaey we were delighted to see the rain was looking to abate as the curtain of grey cloud was lifting. So we had some time and a window of dry weather to visit Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Located just 10 minutes from our hotel where we would be staying at for the next two nights and that sits right under the Eyjafjallajökull glacier (the site of the famous 2010 volcanic eruption)

The waterfall was spectacular! The glacial meltwater gushed with force from high upon the massive volcanic cliffs and the noise as it fell into shallow waters was quite something. Not only did these falls look impressive they are one of the only falls that you can walk behind, so braving the wetness we had to oblige! It was certainly worth getting wet as we walked carefully through the wet pathway and over the slippery stones, it was more impressive and exciting than I could have imagined and had it not been for the fact that by now the sun was setting we would have done it again!

So our first day in Iceland ended on a great note and so far the land of ice and fire had delivered everything we had hoped for (except rain!) and more......

Driving past one of the many fumeroles in Iceland