Surtsey Island

Surtsey Island

Surtsey Island is a volcanic island, a new landform created by volcanic eruptions between 1963 and 1967. Since its formation, Surtsey Island has been protected, offering a pristine natural laboratory to the world with its unique landscape. Being far from human disturbance, Surtsey has long provided us with insights into the processes of how flora and fauna adapt to new land.

Since research began on the island in 1964, scientists have observed the arrival of new seeds carried by ocean currents, and the emergence of molds, bacteria, and fungi. Following the first appearance of vascular plants on the island in 1965, ten such species were recorded by the end of the first decade. By 2004, the number of vascular plant species had reached 60, along with 75 species of mosses, 71 species of lichens, and 24 types of fungi. A total of 89 bird species have been recorded on the island, with 57 of them breeding elsewhere in Iceland. This small island, spanning just 141 hectares, is also home to 335 species of invertebrates.

Why Surtsey is a must-visit: The island with the greatest research potential