Surtsey is a volcanic island located in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off the southern coast of Iceland. It was formed in a volcanic eruption that began on November 14, 1963, and lasted until June 5, 1967. The island was created by a long-lasting eruption of three submarine volcanoes, which produced a total of about 9 cubic kilometers (2.2 cubic miles) of basalt. The eruption ended abruptly when the magma ran out, leaving the island with a crater in the middle.
The island was named after Surtur, a fire giant of Norse mythology. The first people to set foot on the island were scientists who arrived on June 3, 1964. Since then, the island has been inhabited only by birds, seals, and scientists.
Surtsey is a valuable natural laboratory, and the only place on Earth where you can study the development of a completely new ecosystem from scratch. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
