Iceland volcano museum

On the island of Heimaey in Iceland, after a volcanic eruption on Jan. 23, 1973, one family’s home that was preserved under ash and volcanic debris was made the centerpiece of the museum Eldheim­ar (Sudurvegur/Gerdisbraut 10, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Heimaey, Iceland; phone +354 4882700, http://eldheimar.is/en).

During the eruption of the new volcano, later named Eldfell, more than 5,000 residents escaped to the mainland. They returned to find houses on the eastern side of the island buried under lava flows and ash. During excavations in 2006, archaeologists discovered that many of the buried structures had been “frozen in time,” including the home at Gerdesbraut 10.

Eldheimar also features an interactive exhibit showing island life before and after the eruption plus a gallery of images from the eruption, which increased the island’s size by more than one square mile. 

Heimaey can be reached by a 30-minute ferry ride from Landeyjahöfn on the mainland or a 25- minute plane ride from the domestic Reykjavik Airport, 40 minutes’ drive from Keflavik. The museum is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, May 6-Oct. 14, and 1-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun., Oct. 15-May 5. Entry, ISK2,300 (near $18.50) adult, ISK1,900 senior or ISK1,200 child (age 10-18), with children under 10 free.

One survivor opened a café in town, each table telling and picturing the story of a different family on the night of the eruption.