The youngest island in the world

In the remote North Atlantic Ocean, off the southern coast of Iceland, is a tiny island that has only existed for about 60 years. The minuscule landmass, known as Surtsey Island, was borne out of a violent eruption and forged from fire, water, and molten earth.

Unlike most of Earth’s islands, which have existed for millions of years, Surtsey has offered scientists an unparalleled opportunity: the chance to observe, from the very beginning, the raw birth of an island and the gradual unfolding of life upon its barren surface.

Ever since it rose from the ocean, Surtsey has evolved in countless ways. So, how exactly did this island come to be? And how long could it possibly last? Click through this gallery to find out.

A nation of fire

Iceland is truly one of the most remarkable places on the planet. The island is home to approximately 130 volcanoes, 30 of which are considered active. Volcanic eruptions have been shaping the area for millions of years.

Volcanic island emerges

Within days, loose volcanic rock and ash piled into an island rising above the waves. By January 1964, Surtsey stood 571 feet (174 meters) tall, built mostly of volcanic fragments that rapidly cooled as they touched the Atlantic waters.

Lava builds resilience

In April 1964, the eruption shifted to lava flows that solidified into a hard lava cap. This protective rock shielded the island from Atlantic waves. The eruption also spawned two other cones that briefly became islands. But they lacked lava, and so these tiny islands were eroded away by 1966.

Eruption longevity

The eruption lasted three and a half years, finally ending on June 5, 1967. By then, Surtsey had reached a maximum area of about one square mile (2.7 square km), and in total it produced roughly 0.26 cubic miles (1.1 cubic km) of volcanic material.

Mythical namesake

Surtsey Island was fittingly named after Surtr, the fiery giant of Norse legend. This mythological connection was meant to link the island’s fierce volcanic origin to a cultural symbol of fire and creation in Icelandic heritage.

Geological insights

Surtsey’s birth gave scientists a rare look at new land forming. Its eruptions revealed how underwater volcanoes build islands, and the island’s formation helped interpret ancient flat-topped mountains in Iceland. It allowed experts to link modern eruptions to those of the Ice Age.

Strict protection

Since its fiery creation, Surtsey has been kept off-limits to all but researchers. No tourist footstep or casual visit disturbs it. This strict prohibition ensures that colonization by plants and animals proceeds naturally, with minimal human disruption to the island’s evolving ecosystem.

First life arrives

Within months of Surtsey’s birth, life took hold. In 1964, scientists observed seeds carried by ocean currents washing ashore, along with molds, bacteria and fungi taking hold on the fresh volcanic terrain.

Slow start

In Surtsey’s first two decades, only 20 plant species were recorded, and just 10 managed to establish themselves. Fragile seedlings withered in the nutrient-poor sand, and only after birds enriched the soil did robust vegetation take hold.

Avian diversity

Over time, more bird species claimed Surtsey as home. By 2008, around 14 bird species were breeding there (including puffins and even ravens). What was once a barren rock is now teeming with birdlife.

Insect arrivals

The island’s tiniest inhabitants arrived swiftly. Flying insects were first noted in 1964, and many more bugs hitched rides to the island on drifting debris. From flies to beetles, various invertebrates formed the crucial base of Surtsey’s emerging food web.

Web of life

Each wave of colonizers paved the way for the next. Insects fed the birds, which then spread seeds and fertilized the soil. Over decades, Surtsey has sustained an incredibly small ecosystem, although the island’s volcanic soil still makes it difficult for life to thrive.

Image credit: NASA/Damien Grouille/Cecile Sabau

Marine oasis

Underwater, Surtsey hosts a vibrant marine habitat. Its submerged slopes quickly grew rich with algae and seaweed. Starfish, sea urchins, limpets, and others soon colonized the new reef, and created a thriving coastal ecosystem.

Scientific discoveries

Research on Surtsey has yielded valuable insights. Drilling into the volcano’s core in 1979 and 2017 revealed that heat and seawater turned loose ash into hard tuff (porous rock). Scientists also discovered rock-dissolving bacteria speeding up mineral formation deep underground.

World Heritage Site

In 2008, UNESCO declared Surtsey a World Heritage Site, recognizing its outstanding universal value as a natural laboratory. Today the island’s protected area remains a beacon of scientific curiosity, and reminds humanity of nature’s power to create something anew.