Eldfell Eruption: 50 Years Ago, a Village Fought the Lava and Won

Imagine going to sleep one night, and then being awakened in the small hours of the morning by a volcano that’s suddenly erupting right beside your town. Fifty years ago, this was the scene for residents of the small Icelandic fishing town of Heimaey, on the island of the same name.

One day, I will write it up properly. It’s an eruption that has fascinated me since childhood, and it’s a wonderful example of people battling lava and pretty much winning. But today is not that day. Instead, I have a collage of videos for you, including one featuring a younger David Attenborough on location. How awesome is this? (more…)