Geirfuglasker (Vestmannaeyjar)

Geirfuglasker (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈceirˌfʏklaˌscɛːr̥] , lit.'Great Auk Skerry'),[1] also known as Geirfugladrangur (lit.'Great Auk Stack'),[2] or Freykja ([ˈfreiːca]),[citation needed] is a small, uninhabited island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago.[1][2]

Geirfuglasker
Native name:
Geirfuglasker
Geirfuglasker is located in Iceland
Geirfuglasker
Geirfuglasker
Other names
  • Geirfugladrangur
  • Freykja
Geography
LocationAtlantic Ocean
Coordinates63°19′N 20°30′W / 63.32°N 20.50°W / 63.32; -20.50
ArchipelagoVestmannaeyjar
Area19,034.84 m2 (204,889.3 sq ft)
Coastline574.75 m (1885.66 ft)
Administration
ConstituencySuðurkjördæmi
RegionSuðurland
MunicipalityVestmannaeyjar
Capital and largest cityReykjavík (pop. 123 246)
PresidentGuðni Th. Jóhannesson
Demographics
Population0
Pop. density0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Additional information
Time zone

Geirfuglasker is located approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) offIceland's southwestern coast.[1][2] The island hosted one of the last known colony of great auks, which thrived given its inaccessibility to humans. A volcanic eruption in 1830 forced the birds to move to Eldey, where the last pair was killed in 1844.[1]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d "Geirfuglasker". Iceland Magazine. 22 August 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Powerful earthquake swarm off the coast of Reykjanes peninsula, SW of Reykjavík". Iceland Magazine. 13 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2024.