Surtsey

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Surtsey: A Volcanic Island Laboratory

Surtsey, a volcanic island situated approximately 32 kilometers from the south coast of Iceland, offers a unique insight into the natural processes that govern the formation and colonization of new land. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Surtsey stands as a pristine natural laboratory, protected from human interference and providing valuable long-term data on the evolution and colonization of ecosystems over time.

The island's genesis can be traced back to a series of volcanic eruptions that occurred between 1963 and 1967. The eruption began beneath the sea, at a depth of approximately 130 meters, and the new island first emerged above the ocean surface on November 15, 1963, following the initial underwater activity. The eruption continued until June 5, 1967, culminating in an island covering approximately 2.65 square kilometers (1.0 square mile). However, due to ongoing wave erosion, the island's size has gradually decreased since then. The highest point of the island reaches 155 meters (509 feet) above sea level.

Surtsey's isolation from human influence has allowed it to serve as a rich study ground for scientists interested in understanding the colonization process of new land by flora and fauna. Scientists began studying the island in 1964 and observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, followed by the appearance of molds, bacteria, and fungi. In 1965, the first vascular plant was observed on the island, with the number reaching ten species by the end of the first decade. By 2004, this number had grown to 60 vascular plant species, accompanied by 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens, and 24 fungi.

Surtsey was legally protected from its birth, with strict restrictions on access established while the volcanic eruption was still continuing. This protection was intended to prevent human activity from disturbing the natural processes taking place on the young island, including the accidental introduction of seeds and other organisms. This protection remains in place today: Surtsey is closed to the public, and going ashore or diving near the island is prohibited except for approved scientific research and related activities. This strict control of access has been fundamental to Surtsey's value as a natural laboratory, allowing scientists to observe ecological succession with minimal human interference.

Research has shown that seabirds play an important role in the development of volcanic island ecosystems by transferring nutrients from the sea to land, accelerating plant colonization, soil formation, and biodiversity. On Surtsey, the establishment of seabird colonies, particularly gulls, helped create nutrient-rich habitats in which dense grasslands developed, with higher species richness, diversity, biomass, and soil carbon than in low-impact areas.

The avian population on Surtsey is significant. According to UNESCO's records, 89 species of birds had been recorded on the island, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland. The island has also supported a diverse community of invertebrates, with 335 species recorded in the UNESCO-era inventory. These figures demonstrate Surtsey's ability to support an increasingly complex biological community despite its relatively young age.

In addition to its role as a natural laboratory, Surtsey holds considerable scientific and historical significance. Its formation during the 20th century provided scientists with the rare opportunity to observe, almost from the beginning, the geological and ecological processes involved in the development of a new island. The island's strict protection since its formation has helped preserve this exceptional scientific record and ensures that researchers can continue to study natural colonization and ecological succession with minimal human disturbance.

Today, Surtsey stands as a remarkable example of nature's resilience and adaptability. Its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, under criterion (ix) for ongoing biological and ecological processes, underscores the importance of preserving such unique ecosystems for scientific research and future generations. As we continue to learn from Surtsey, we gain a deeper understanding of the relationship between geology, ecology, and time that shapes the natural world.

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

Surtsey, a volcanic island approximately 32 km from the south coast of Iceland, is a new island formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. It is all the more outstanding for having been protected since its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory. Free from human interference, Surtsey has been producing unique long-term information on the colonisation process of new land by plant and animal life. Since they began studying the island in 1964, scientists have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of moulds, bacteria and fungi, followed in 1965 by the first vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first decade. By 2004, they numbered 60 together with 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi. Eighty-nine species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland. The 141 ha island is also home to 335 species of invertebrates.

UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site

Criterion (ix): Ongoing biological and ecological processes: Surtsey was born as a new volcanic island in 1963-67 and since that time has played a major role in studies of succession and colonisation. It has been the site of one of the few long term studies worldwide on primary succession, providing a unique scientific record of the process of colonisation of land by plants, animals and marine organisms. Not only is it geographically isolated, but it has been legally protected from its birth, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory, free from human interference. Above all, because of its continuing protection, Surtsey will continue to provide invaluable data on biological colonisation long into the future.

Encyclopedia Record: Surtsey

Surtsey is an uninhabited volcanic island located in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland. At 63.303°N 20.605°W Surtsey is the southernmost point of Iceland. It was formed in a volcanic eruption which began 130 metres below sea level, and reached the surface on 14 November 1963. The eruption lasted until 5 June 1967, when the island reached its maximum size of 2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi). Since then, wave erosion has caused the island to steadily diminish in size: as of 2012, its surface area was 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi). The most recent survey (2007) shows the island's maximum elevation at 155 m (509 ft) above sea level.

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IUCN World Heritage Outlook

The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Surtsey reports the following assessment:

Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment