Surtsey, the Birth of an Island | The Volcanic Island Turned 50 (HD 1080p)

Summary

In March 2010, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, causing a massive ash cloud that disrupted European air traffic. The Westman Islands, off Iceland's coast, experienced heavy ashfall, recalling the devastating eruptions of Eldfell and Helgafell in 1973. Iceland, situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge, is prone to volcanic activity. The island of Surtsey, formed in 1963, has become a unique natural laboratory for scientists studying its volcanic past and present, as well as the development of its ecosystem. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site in 2008, recognizing its scientific and ecological significance.

Takeaways

• ⏱️ The 2010 eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland caused an ash cloud that disrupted European air travel for days.
• 🌋 The Westman Islands are located near Iceland and are prone to volcanic activity, with Eldfell and Helgafell causing significant damage in the past.
• 🏝️ Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island of the Westman Islands, had to be evacuated during a volcanic eruption due to lava flow threats.
• 🔥 Iceland is situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where tectonic plates are drifting apart, leading to frequent volcanic eruptions.
• 🌿 The island of Surtsey was formed by volcanic eruptions in 1963 and has been a significant research site for scientists studying volcanic activity.
• 🌾 Over 70 plant species have been found on Surtsey, but only around 60 have been able to establish themselves long-term.
• 🏞️ Surtsey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 due to its unique ecosystem and scientific value.
• 👨‍🔬 Research on Surtsey includes studies on how plants and animals colonize new land and the development of ecosystems.
• 🌊 The island's formation and the subsequent changes have been closely monitored, providing a unique record of an island's ecological development.
• 🚣‍♀️ Access to Surtsey is highly restricted, with only a few hundred people allowed to visit, to preserve the scientific integrity of the island.

Q & A

What event in March 2010 impacted Europe's air traffic?

The eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, which released an 8-kilometer high ash cloud that paralyzed Europe's air traffic for days.

How often does Iceland experience volcanic eruptions on average?

Iceland experiences volcanic eruptions every 5 years on average.

What happened during the eruption of Eldfell and Helgafell almost 40 years ago?

Eldfell and Helgafell almost destroyed Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island of the Westman Islands. Fortunately, a storm the day before confined the whole fishing fleet to the harbor, allowing the entire population to be evacuated in time.

What was the danger posed by the lava during the eruption of Eldfell and Helgafell?

The danger was that the lava would close off the harbor. To prevent this, they hosed it down with cold water for weeks until they managed to protect the entrance.

What geographical feature makes Iceland prone to volcanic eruptions?

Iceland and the Westman Islands are located on the mid-Atlantic ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart, causing frequent volcanic eruptions.

How were the islands of the Westman group formed?

All islands in the Westman group were created by volcanic eruptions about 5000 years ago, forming a chain from north to south.

What is unique about the island of Surtsey?

Surtsey is unique because it was formed during a volcanic eruption in 1963, and it has been continuously studied since its formation, providing a rare opportunity to observe the development of an ecosystem on a new island.

Why is it difficult to visit the island of Surtsey?

Visiting Surtsey is difficult because only about 100 people have been allowed to set foot on it so far, requiring a permit from the government which is hard to get and has a time limit.

What is the significance of Surtsey being declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008?

Surtsey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008 due to its outstanding universal value as a natural laboratory for the study of ecological succession, as it provides a unique record of colonization and development of life on a newly formed island.

What role do scientists play in the study of Surtsey?

Scientists study the volcanic past and present of the island, as well as the colonization of plants and animals, and the development of the ecosystem. Their research contributes to understanding the island's unique geological and biological processes.

How have plants and animals colonized Surtsey?

Plants and animals have colonized Surtsey through various means such as being carried by birds, floating in the sea, or being transported by wind. Some species were even introduced accidentally, like a tomato plant that grew from a seed dropped by someone on the island.