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Surtsey

Iceland (Europe and North America)

Date of Submission: 18/12/2001
Criteria: (viii)(ix)(x)
Category: Natural
Submission prepared by:
Menntamalaraduneytid.Ministry of Education, Science and Culture
Coordinates:
63°18' N - 20°36' W
Ref.: 1610

Description

The area is an island where the natural evolutionary processes have been able to act without any kind of human impact. The geological and subsequent geomorphologic processes are constantly active. The immigration of plants and animals to the new land area has been continuously studied and documented by scientists.



Surtsey, the southernmost of the Vestmannaeyjar Islands, was formed during a volcanic eruption lasting from November 1963 to June 1967. The eruption, which is the largest submarine eruption near Iceland in historic time, started 130 metres below the surface of the sea. Only two months later, an island had been formed which reached 174 metres above sea level. During the Surtsey eruption, two other small islands were formed. Syrtingur (70 m elev. and 0. 1 5 km') and J61nir (70 m elev. and 0. 3 kM2) . These have subsequently been eroded by the sea and are no longer above sea level. When the Surtsey eruption ceased in June 1967, the volcano had produced 1.1 km3 of material, 70 % of which was tuff and 30% lava. Only 9% was above sea level and formed a 2.7kml large island. The Surtsey eruption is one of the best documented submarine eruptions of all time. Because of erosion, the island has now been reduced to 1.5kM2. Outstanding examples can be seen on Surtsey of how fast unconsolidated volcanic ash becomes transformed into tuffitic rock. Geologists have also shown that the sea breaks down the lava more quickly than the indurated tuff.



Ever since its formation, Surtsey has been an outstanding laboratory for research into the immigration of life into a "desert landscape" at this latitude. Studies show that the immigration of animals and plants is an extremely slow process and it will take time for the species to was above sea level and formed a 2.7kM2 large island. The Surtsey eruption is one of the best documented submarine eruptions of all time. Because of erosion, the island has now been reduced to l.5kM2. Outstanding examples can be seen on Surtsey of how fast unconsolidated volcanic ash becomes transformed into tuffitic rock. Geologists have also shown that the sea breaks down the lava more quickly than the indurated tuff.



Ever since its formation, Surtsey has been an outstanding laboratory for research into the immigration of life into a "desert landscape" at this latitude. Studies show that the immigration of animals and plants is an extremely slow process and it will take time for the species to become stabilised and find a harmonious balance. The species which have immigrated derive from other Vestmannaeyjar islands to the north, formed in the same manner as Surtsey. The number of species on Surtsey constitutes, nevertheless, only a fraction of the total species diversity of the entire group of islands.



All the lower-ranking animal - and plant species that have found niches on the island are also common on nearby islands. Previously, it was widely held that lichens were among the first life forms on new areas of land. Therefore, it was a surprise to discover that lichen was not to be found on the lavas of the island before 1970. Moss was found as early as 1967, and 18 different species had been recorded by 1970. The first vascular plants migrated here through seeds transported by ocean currents. In 1993, 34 different vascular plants were recorded on Surtsey. This is 7.7% of the total vascular flora of Iceland. As early as 1966, 23 species of birds were recorded on Surtsey and in 1970, the first nesting took place on the new island (Black guillemot. Cepphus grylle). Several species have started to nest in recent years. In 1986, five pairs of fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) were recorded, and the number has since increased to 120. The Great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) first nested in 1974 and in 1990, 35 nesting pairs were recorded. A total of 160 pairs of Herring gulls (Larus argentatus), Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) and Glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) are among the other species that nested on Surtsey in 1990.



The degree to which the island remains undisturbed is outstanding. Apart from a small helicopter platform and a cabin for research work, the island is undisturbed. There is no tourism.