Starting in 1963, a new island was formed in the Atlantic Ocean off southern Iceland. The island would become known as Surtsey.
The forming of Surtsey was a unique opportunity for scientists to observe the volcanic formation of an island. This had never happened in the history of modern science. Not only were scientists able to observe the island coming up out of the ocean in the form of a volcanic eruption, but they have also been able to observe the natural ecological development of the island from its birth to present day.
On November 14, 1963, fisherman noticed something odd in the water off the south coast of Iceland. There was black smoke pouring up out of the water. The fishermen did not know what the smoke was at first, but a few hours later, they were able to see lava just below the surface of the water. By the next morning, Surtsey was visible and had begun to grow. (The island was not officially named until 1965.)
Surtsey Island and Iceland lie along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is known for being highly active. In fact, it is the reason for Iceland’s impressive volcanic activity. In November of 1963, an underwater or submarine volcano erupted along this volatile ridge. It is thought that the eruption began at least a few days before it was noticed. Its source was roughly 426 feet below sea level.
When the volcano that formed Surtsey erupted, the more violent qualities of the eruption were subdued by the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The lava pillowed and hardened until it reached the surface. Once the vent reached the surface, however, the eruption became more of what we would expect from an Icelandic volcano. Smoke, ash and steam ejected from the vent violently. Weather phenomena, such as lightning storms, announced the arrival of the new island. All the while, Surtsey grew larger and larger.
After a few months of this, a new vent was formed. The eruptions continued from this location for some time until yet another vent became the source of volcanic emissions at Surtsey. The eruptions continued intermittently this way for roughly three and a half years. It finally stopped on June 5, 1967. By the time Surtsey was fully formed and the eruptions had ceased, the island had an area of roughly one square mile. Its highest point was roughly 560 feet above sea level. Researchers have estimated that only 9% of emissions at Surtsey made it out of the ocean. Imagine the impact the eruption would have had if 100% of it were above sea level.
Surtsey has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is completely protected from outsiders. Even scientists have to follow strict rules to be able to work on the island. Only a select few are given the privilege. Their goal is to observe how the ecology of Surtsey evolves without the interference of mankind. So far, they have seen the island go from a barren volcanic rock to an island that supports many different plant species and is visited by various bird species. All of this in a little over 40 years. It will be interesting to see how quickly and in what way Surtsey will continue to evolve.
Sources
Prager, Felice, The Birth of the Island of Surtsey, retrieved 5/27/10, loti.com/sixties_history/Island_of_Surtsey.htm
Surtsey Iceland’s Island of Fire, retrieved 5/27/10, explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa042601a.htm
Birth of an Island, retrieved 5/27/10, platetectonics.com/book/page-10.asp
