Reykjavík Grapevine - 13.07.2007, Blaðsíða 27

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A continuous (and unsettling) loud rumbling
sound and flickering yellow-orange light greet
you as you approach the entrance to the Surt-
sey exhibition on the fourth floor of the Culture
House in downtown Reykjavík. The projection
of the lava flow and volcanic eruption that cre-
ated Surtsey Island is the perfect introduction
to the Surtsey – Genesis exhibition.
Representing Iceland’s southernmost tip,
Surtsey emerged during the almost four year
volcanic eruption which began in 1963. The
force from the eruption was so strong that
volcanic ash was ejected 9 km into the sky
The informative and fascinating exhibition,
produced by the Icelandic Institute of Natural
History, traces the emergence and evolution of
the island as well as predicting its geographical
and ecological development over the next 120
years.
What is unique about Surtsey as a volcanic
site is that it has been under strict environmen-
tal protection since its beginning and has had
its entire 44 year history carefully documented.
The Icelandic Government has even nominated
the island for inclusion in UNESCO’s World
Heritage List and the exhibition explains the
grounds for that decision.
Surtsey’s pristine conditions with limited
influence from humans have served as a living
laboratory for the ongoing research program.
You’ll find a display of photos of the research-
ers in action in a separate exhibition space.
The display also includes detailed diagrams,
aerial photos, slides, multimedia presentations,
preserved animals, dried plants and volcanic
lava which show the forces behind the creation
of the island as well as the changes (both
historic and predicted) in its size, shape and
variety of animal life. The most interesting part
of this exhibition is the interactive multimedia
display which allows you to choose a time
between 1963 and 2130 and see the state of
the island in that select year.
The Culture House
Hverfisgata 15, 101 Reykjavík
Entrance fee: 300 ISK
Surtsey
Exhibition
Text by Zoë Robert
My favorite place in Reykjavík
is Laugardalur valley. I grew
up in that neighbourhood and
I still live there close by. I like
to take walks around the valley.
When I am writing I often take
my Ipod with me and listen to
what I am doing.
Lovísa Elísabet Sigrúnardóttir is known as the
country-blues singstress Lay Low. She is also
a member of the indie rock quartet Benny
Crespo’s Gang.