A new landmass formed off the southern coast of Iceland following a massive underwater volcanic eruption in the North Atlantic. The eruption breached the surface of the sea, creating the island. Such formations offer scientists an opportunity to observe the development of life in a completely sterile environment. The island provides a real-time laboratory for understanding how biological communities colonize a newly formed landscape.
Naming and Geological Origin
The new island is called Surtsey, named after Surtr, the fire giant from Norse mythology. Its formation began on November 14, 1963, with a submarine eruption 32 kilometers from the Icelandic mainland, near the Vestmann Islands. This volcanic activity is part of the Vestmannaeyjar system, a surface expression of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The eruption continued for three and a half years, officially ending on June 5, 1967.
Initially, the island consisted of unconsolidated tephra, which was rapidly eroded by ocean waves. Stability was achieved when volcanic activity produced hardened lava flows that protected the core from further wave action. This process, where the tephra hardened into a rock called tuff, ensured Surtsey’s long-term survival above the ocean surface.
The Process of Primary Ecological Succession
Surtsey is recognized as the finest example of primary ecological succession. This concept describes the colonization of an environment completely devoid of life and soil, such as bare rock or new volcanic islands. Primary succession differs fundamentally from secondary succession, which occurs where a disturbance has removed existing life but left the soil layer intact.
Succession began with the arrival of pioneer species, the first organisms capable of surviving in harsh, nutrient-poor conditions. These early colonizers are typically microscopic, including bacteria, molds, and fungi, carried by wind and sea currents. Over time, these simple organisms help break down the volcanic rock. Their decaying matter begins the slow process of creating organic soil, allowing for the establishment of more complex plant life.
Milestones in Colonization and Research
Scientists began monitoring the island in 1964, observing the first microbial life forms arrive shortly after the eruption subsided. The first macroscopic life detected were diatoms, followed by molds, fungi, and bacteria, transported primarily by ocean currents and wind. In 1965, the first vascular plant, the sea rocket (Cakile artica), was discovered, marking a significant biological milestone.
Bird colonies accelerated the succession process. Fulmars and black guillemots began nesting in the early 1970s, followed by a dense colony of gulls around 1985. Bird droppings introduced nitrogen and phosphorus, enriching the sterile volcanic soil and creating fertile patches for more demanding plant species. By 2004, the number of vascular plant species had grown to 60, alongside 335 species of insects and soil fauna. Scientists monitor the island using non-intervention policies, precisely mapping individual plants in permanent plots to track every step of the colonization.
Current Status and Preservation
Surtsey was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, recognizing its scientific value. The island has been protected as a Strict Nature Reserve since 1965, even while the eruption was active. This stringent protection maintains the island as a pristine natural laboratory, free from the interference of human-introduced organisms.
Access to Surtsey is strictly prohibited for the general public; only researchers from the Surtsey Research Centre are permitted to land. This policy ensures that the biological and geological processes observed are purely natural and not influenced by foreign seeds or contaminants. Despite stabilization from the hardened lava, the island continues to shrink due to wave erosion. The continuous erosion provides scientists with an additional layer of study on the long-term geological evolution of new landforms.