From Sea to Summit: The Geological Wonders of the Westman Islands
Geology enthusiasts can’t fail to be impressed by the Westman Islands. If you’re planning a volcanic tour of Iceland, then you won’t do justice to the theme if you don’t incorporate the natural wonders Heimaey is famous for. Geologically young even by Icelandic standards, the islands that comprise this archipelago were created somewhere between 10000 and 20000 years ago.
In this article we’ll take a look at the diverse range of landforms that are the result of past volcanic activity and the resultant landscape’s interaction with the ocean. You’ll also find out how you can experience them during boat and ATV adventures.
Island creation
If you’d have visited the Westman Islands around 20000 years ago, the land masses and rocky outcrops you see today would have been concealed beneath the surface of the ocean. The volcanic activity that was responsible for their creation kicked off many thousands of years before that, but these things take time!
Today, there are about 80 volcanic craters in all, but more than three quarters of them are submerged – at least for now. A magma chamber exists well below island level, meaning this archipelago is still considered tectonically active. For example, Surtsey was famously created during an eruption that lasted from 1963 to 1967. Meanwhile, Heimaey grew a bit more as a result of the events of 1973 which led to the formation of Eldfell.
Incidentally, Heimaey, the only inhabited island in Vestmannaeyjar, is actually the result of multiple volcanic eruptions. Cliffs such as Norðurklettar, Heimaklettur, Miðklettur and Ystiklettur (once two separate islands) are the result of eruptions that took place 10000 to 12000 years ago. Stórhöfði and the islands of Elliðaey and Bjarnaey date from about 6000 years ago.
Things kicked off again about 5000 years ago with a dramatic eruption at Stakkabótagígur, which is when a huge crater was formed at Stórhöfði. Not long afterwards, geologically speaking, Helgafell erupted and again there were significant changes to the landscape as a consequence.
Nature hasn’t finished with the Westman Islands just yet
What makes this process especially exciting to anyone with an interest in geology or geography is that it is ongoing. Nature hasn’t finished creating the Westman Islands just yet and periodically in the future we can expect volcanic activity to reshape the landscape here. New islands will form and existing islands will be altered.
Volcanic tours of Iceland, both here and in other parts of the country such as the Reykjanes peninsula, continue to fascinate tourists. It’s a big part of Iceland’s appeal to outsiders. Those who find their way to the Westman Islands can see for themselves the cones and craters, lava fields, rocky cliffs and sea stacks that are all evidence of volcanic activity in the archipelago. These natural wonders on Heimaey – and close by – are a large part of what makes boat trips and ATV tours of the island so interesting.
Enjoy an ATV adventure as you learn about the archipelago’s geological wonders
Come and see for yourself how the geology of the Westman Islands is a window onto the past and a clue to the archipelago’s future. We’ll take you on a thrilling ATV ride that incorporates key landmarks such as Elephant Rock and Stórhöfði, plus gives you the opportunity to ride across a lava field as you follow off road trails to Eldfell.
Accompanied by a guide, you’ll find out more about the processes that shape the land around you and of course you’ll have the chance to ask questions when we stop at regular intervals during this tour. We can promise you that it’s much more fun than learning about geology from a school textbook, so why not sign up for this educational but highly entertaining tour?