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

wocomoDOCS

31 Mar 201620:14

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🌋 Volcanic Eruptions and Iceland's Impact

The script discusses the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland in March 2010, which caused a massive ash cloud that disrupted European air traffic for days. It highlights the Westman Islands, particularly the inhabited island, which was heavily affected by ash fall. The islands are situated on the mid-Atlantic ridge where tectonic plates are drifting apart, leading to frequent volcanic activity. The script recounts a past eruption that almost destroyed the island's town but was mitigated by fortunate weather conditions that kept the fishing fleet in the harbor, allowing for evacuation. It also describes efforts to protect the harbor from lava and the subsequent changes to the island's geography. The Icelandic Institute for Natural History is mentioned as a key research center studying the volcanic past and present of the country.

05:01

🌿 The Dynamic Ecosystem of Surtsey Island

This section delves into the scientific study of Surtsey Island, formed by a volcanic eruption in 1963. It discusses the island's unique geological features, such as the transformation of tephra into palagonite, a process that was surprisingly rapid. The script mentions the challenges of accessing the island and the strict regulations to preserve its natural state, including the need for permits and the prohibition of leaving anything behind. The island's biodiversity is explored, with over 70 plant species recorded, although only a few have established long-term. The narrative also touches on the island's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its scientific value and the unique opportunity it provides to study ecosystem development over the 50 years since its formation.

10:05

🚤 The Expedition to Surtsey Island

The script narrates a visit to Surtsey Island, detailing the logistical challenges of landing on the island due to its rocky coastline and the need for a permit from the government. It introduces the team's guide, Thorbjorg, who ensures that no foreign elements are introduced to or taken from the island, emphasizing the pristine nature of the ecosystem. The visitors are cautious of the weather, which can change rapidly and affect their ability to return. The script vividly describes the island's landscape, including the rocky shores and the views of the Westman Islands and Iceland's mainland. It also discusses the island's geological features, such as the lava rocks and the protective role they play against erosion.

15:07

🌱 Life on a Young Island: Surtsey's Biological Development

This part of the script focuses on the biological colonization of Surtsey Island. It describes how plants and animals have managed to reach the island despite its remote location and how they have adapted to the harsh environment. The first plant found in 1965 was a sea rocket, and over time, other species arrived, some through natural means like wind and sea currents, and others accidentally, such as a tomato plant that grew from a discarded seed. The script also mentions the role of birds and other animals in transporting seeds. It discusses the challenges faced by plants near the Arctic Circle and how the stronger species outcompete the weaker ones. The narrative includes a story about a researcher, Sturla Fredrickson, who has been studying the island since its formation and his experiments simulating the origins of life, drawing inspiration from Charles Darwin's ideas.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Eldfell

Eldfell is the name of a volcano on the island of Heimaey, part of the Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland. It erupted in 1973, causing significant damage to the island's infrastructure and leading to the evacuation of the entire population. This event is a central part of the video's narrative, illustrating the destructive power of volcanic eruptions and the resilience of the community in the face of natural disasters.

💡Helgafell

Helgafell is another volcano on the island of Heimaey, which erupted in 1963. Although the script does not provide extensive details about this eruption, it serves to emphasize the volcanic activity in the region and the historical context of volcanic events that have shaped the Westman Islands.

💡Ash cloud

An ash cloud refers to the plume of ash and other particulates that can be ejected into the atmosphere during a volcanic eruption. The script mentions an ash cloud that reached 8 kilometers high, which disrupted air traffic in Europe. This term is crucial for understanding the far-reaching impacts of volcanic eruptions on human activities and infrastructure.

💡Lava

Lava is molten rock that is expelled from a volcano during an eruption. The script describes lava streams flattening homes and the efforts to prevent lava from closing off the harbor. Lava plays a central role in the formation of new landmasses and the reshaping of existing ones, as seen in the formation of the island of Surtsey.

💡Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a seam in the Earth's crust where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are drifting apart. This geological feature is mentioned in the script as the reason behind Iceland's frequent volcanic eruptions. It is a key concept for understanding the geological activity in the region.

💡Tephra

Tephra is a collective term for the fragments of rock and ash that are ejected during a volcanic eruption. The script describes tephra as being very loose and easily eroded, which is important for understanding the early stages of the island's formation and the subsequent processes of erosion and sedimentation.

💡Palagonite

Palagonite is a type of fine-grained metamorphic rock that forms when lava cools slowly under great pressure. The script mentions that palagonite forms at a temperature of 55 degrees Celsius and is resistant to erosion. This keyword is significant for understanding the long-term stability of volcanic islands and their resistance to weathering and erosion.

💡Surströmming

Surströmming refers to a type of fermented Baltic Sea herring that is known for its strong smell. Although not directly related to the geological theme, the script humorously mentions surströmming as an example of how seeds and other organic matter can be transported long distances to new islands, contributing to the biodiversity of places like Surtsey.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular ecosystem. The script discusses how biodiversity on Surtsey has evolved over time, with some species establishing themselves while others have declined. This concept is central to understanding the ecological processes at work on newly formed volcanic islands.

💡UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The script mentions that Surtsey was declared a World Heritage Site in 2008, highlighting its unique value for scientific research and conservation.

💡Ecosystem

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment, interacting as a system. The script discusses the development of ecosystems on Surtsey, including the colonization by plants and animals and the subsequent changes in biodiversity. This keyword is crucial for understanding the dynamic nature of life on volcanic islands.

Highlights

In March 2010, Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted, causing an ash cloud that paralyzed Europe's air traffic for days.

The Westman Islands off the coast of Iceland experience ash fall during volcanic eruptions.

Iceland experiences volcanic eruptions every 5 years on average.

Eldfell and Helgafell volcanoes almost destroyed Heimaey 40 years ago, but the entire population was evacuated in time.

Lava from the eruption threatened to close off the harbor, but was prevented by hosing it down with cold water.

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

All islands in Iceland were created by volcanic eruptions about 5000 years ago.

Surtrasey, the southernmost island, was formed in 1963 by a volcanic eruption.

Surtrasey is protected as a natural conservation area and is a significant research project for the Icelandic Institute for Natural History.

Geologists study the volcanic past and present of Iceland, including the composition of tephra and lava.

Surtrasey's tephra and palagonite formations are studied for their resistance to erosion.

Surtrasey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008 for its unique geological and biological features.

Biologists study how plants and animals colonize the island and the development of the ecosystem.

Over 70 species of plants have been found on Surtrasey, but less than 60 were able to establish themselves long-term.

The number of plant species on Surtrasey has been declining, suggesting the ecosystem may be stabilizing.

Access to Surtrasey is highly restricted, with only about 100 people allowed to set foot on it so far.

Researchers have a unique 50-year record of the island's development, providing valuable insights into island formation and ecosystem evolution.

Surtrasey's biodiversity is already exceeding expectations, with species arriving via wind, sea, and even birds.

The island's formation and development are still in their early stages, with much more to be learned in the future.