The Surtsey Nature Reserve Photo 1964 1 May Jónasson. Surtsey, Sigurgeir Facts to Surtsey by the sea, the wind, birds, drifting debris and floating • Surtsey, Iceland’s southernmost clumps of grass from other islands. outpost, is the second largest island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. • Ecological research on Surtsey has shed new light on the development • Scientists have been monitoring and progress of plant and animal its formation and development populations on islands. since it first appeared in 1963. More research has been carried out on • The first colonists on Surtsey were Surtsey than on any other volcano. diatoms found on the beach in August 1964. • Surtsey provided scientists with their first opportunity to monitor • The first higher plant was the sea- how palagonite tuff forms from rocket (Cakile artica), which was unconsolidated volcanic tephra. found in 1965. Tuff was first found on the surface • Fulmars and black guillemots were of the island in 1969. the first bird species to breed on • The erosion and development of Surtsey. Nesting began in 1970. the island is monitored by means • Gull colonies established of regular aerial photos and themselves on Surtsey around hydrographic measurements. 1985, followed shortly by many • Scientists maintain an annual new species of higher plants. watch on the plant and animal • Ravens nested on Surtsey for the colonisation of this new island, first time in spring 2008. They which is free of human interference. raised three chicks. • Seeds and tiny creatures are carried Vestmannaeyjar 40,000 years ago at the northern end of Heimaey. At least 24 eruptions have The Vestmannaeyjar archipelago is occurred in this system during the a group of 18 islands along with a last 10,000 years. Stórhöfði, Sæfjall, number of skerries and seamounts Helgafell, Bjarnarey and Elliðaey all located 10 km south of Iceland. emerged in a series of eruptions Heimaey (13,6 km2) is the largest 5,000–6,000 years ago. Two eruptions island, followed by Surtsey (1,4 km2). have occurred in historical times: the The islands are part of a single Surtsey eruption (1963-67) and the volcanic system, with Heimaey at its Heimaey eruption (1973). centre. Volcanic activity, mostly on Surtsey provides valuable the seabed, began approximately information about the formation and 100,000 years ago. The oldest development of the outer islands of geological formation above sea level the archipelago. is Norðurklettar, a cliff that formed Sigurgeir Jónasson, 14 November 1963 Jónasson, 14 November Sigurgeir Photo

The Surtsey eruption Surtla, Syrtlingur and Jólnir, smaller volcanoes in the same system, rose On 14 November 1963, fishermen from the seabed close to Surtsey in noticed volcanic activity on the 1964-66. Surtla (1964) never reached surface of the sea 18 km southwest the surface, while Syrtlingur (1965) of Heimaey. The following day, a and Jólnir (1965-66) formed islands small island emerged, which was that were quickly eroded by the sea later named Surtsey. The Surtsey once eruptions ended. The Surtsey eruption continued until 5 June 1967, volcano system is a 5.8 km long the longest continuous eruption ridge, mostly underwater, covering since the settlement of Iceland. an area of 13.2 km2. Volcanic activity began in a 400 m fissure at a depth of 130 m. The first When the Surtsey eruptions ended eruptions were characteristically in 1967, the island’s surface area explosive, and a column of thick was 2.6 km2 and it rose to a height black smoke rose 9 km into the sky of 170 m above sea level. The island as tephra craters were formed. In eroded rapidly during the first few April 1964, the nature of the eruption years after the end of eruptions, and changed when seawater no longer by 2006 Surtsey measured only 1.4 had access to the vent, the explosive km2. Its highest point is now 155 m eruptions ceased and lava began above sea level. flowing in Surtsey. Research on Surtsey Scientists from the Icelandic Institute Since it emerged, Surtsey has of Natural History, the Marine been a pristine geological and Research Institute, the University of biological research laboratory, and Iceland and a large number of foreign it will continue to be so. Surtsey institutions have conducted wide- has provided the opportunity to ranging research and monitoring monitor a submarine eruption and projects on Surtsey. These projects the formation and development of have been of great importance to the an island. Experts and enthusiasts natural sciences. Scientists have been interested in monitoring and able to trace the geological history protecting Surtsey founded the of the island, time the colonisation of Surtsey Research Society in 1965. organisms and monitor changes to The Society’s main purpose is to the island’s ecosystem right from the co-ordinate and promote research very beginning. on Surtsey. Its members have built Geologists on Surtsey have facilities and constructed a helipad monitored geothermal development, to improve conditions for researchers tuff formation, land subsidence on the island. In addition, the Surtsey and marine erosion. Biologists Research Society takes regular aerial have observed plant and animal photos of the island and publishes colonisation, the development of the results of scientific investigations ecosystems and the progress of plant in the Surtsey Report. and animal populations, both on land and in the sea.

The Surtsey total of 65 km2. Human visits to the island have Nature Reserve been restricted since 1965, and Surtsey was declared a nature permission must be obtained reserve in 1965. The eruption was from the Environment Agency of still in progress, and protection was Iceland beforegoing onshore. These limited to the volcano above sea restrictions are first and foremost to level. The area of the reserve was prevent biological contamination enlarged considerably on the island’s and to protect Surtsey’s delicate nomination to the World Heritage environment. The Environment List in 2006. The restricted zone Agency manages the Nature Reserve, currently covers the entire Surtsey with the assistance from a six person volcano and the surrounding sea, a expert advisory committee Photo Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir 2008 human interference or influence or interference human without naturally, develop to allowed been have environment and ecosystem unique Surtsey’s Vestmannaeyjar those are Surtsey’s exception cover erosion. which following The Surtsey’s whc.unesco.org www.heimaslod.is www.ust.is/surtsey www.ni.is/surtsey www.surtsey.is [email protected] Please Vestmannaeyjar administrative Reserve. about of Vestmannaeyjabær Surtsey Visitor Centre Visitor Surtsey future Surtsey's Surtsey websites Surtsey

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the UNESCO World it as a site of unique natural interest and a base for vital research into Heritage List plant and animal colonisation In autumn 2005, Surtsey was and into the establishment and nominated for inclusion on the development of its ecology. UNESCO World Heritage List. The Icelandic Institute of Natural History The far-sighted protection of prepared the nomination. Surtsey in 1965 and careful scientific monitoring and research into the The island was placed on the list in ecosystem and geology of the island July 2008, when UNESCO recognised underpin Surtsey’s presence on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

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United Nations Surtsey Educational, Scientific and Inscribed on the World Cultural Organization Heritage List in 2008 Sudurlandsbraut 24 - 108 Reykjavík Tel. 591 2000 - Fax 591 2020 english.ust.is Text: Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir Photos: Sigurgeir Jónasson, Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir Maps: Lovísa Ásbjörnsdóttir, Icelandic Institute of Natural History Aerial image: National Land Survey of Iceland Layout: Einar Gudmann Printing: Guðjón Ó - vistvæn prentsmidja Issue No.: UST-2008:08