Heimaey in the Vestmann Archipelago in the southern Iceland. - stock photo

Houses on the edge of the Heimaey town and the old volcanos in the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago in Iceland. Heimaey is an is the largest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago, and the largest and most populated island off the Icelandic coast. In January 1973, lava flow from nearby Eldfell volcano destroyed half the town and threatened to close its harbour, its main income source. An operation to cool the advancing lava with sea water saved the harbour.