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Emerging Volcano and Geothermal Related Tourism in Iceland 215

Figure 14.6 Midpoint interpretive signage

exhibition of geology, geothermal heat and energy America to Europe with the midpoint marked by
conservation and is brought to life through a sign (Figure 14.6).
multimedia displays. Also close by, in the former
NATO military base a comprehensive centre of Vestmannaeyjar
scientific, academic and economic knowledge is Vestmannaeyjar (The Westmen Isles) is a small
being built up in the area of Vallarheidi. The archipelago off the south coast of Iceland. It
centre’s aim is to expand international education comprises 16 islands, the largest of which is
in the field of geosciences, tourism and sustainable Heimaey (13.4km ) which has a population of
2
development. 4000 (Ruriksson, 1995). The islands are named
after the Irish from the Old Norse word Vestmenn
The ‘Bridge between Two Continents’ (Wikipedia, 2009c). The region is volcanically
Also on the Reykjanes peninsula lies the ‘Bridge active with two major eruptions in recent times.
between Two Continents’, a remarkable and They are the creation of the island of Surtsey in
dedicated geotourism attraction. It is situated on 1963 and the eruption of Eldfell on the island of
the lava-scarred peninsula where two of the Heimaey a decade later.
Earth’s tectonic plates split. The ‘bridge’ spans the
two continents and is situated in the Alfagja rift The miracle of Surtsey
valley, a chasm marking the boundary of the The island of Surtsey was created by an undersea
North American and Eurasian continental tectonic volcanic eruption in 1963 (Figure 14.7). It was
plates. Crossing the bridge takes you from North first seen by the crew of a fishing boat, Ísleifi II

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