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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

In 1973, Icelanders pumped more than 6 million cubic metres of seawater onto lava to protect a fishing harbour, creating a new breakwater

Iceland USGS

When a volcano erupted on the Icelandic island of Heimaey in January 1973, the immediate concern was not only the homes and streets in its path but also the harbour that supported the island's fishing industry. If lava reached the harbour entrance, it could have disrupted the community's main source of income long after the eruption ended. As molten rock advanced across the landscape, authorities and engineers searched for ways to reduce the risk to this vital piece of infrastructure.

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