Reykjavík Grapevine - 02.08.2019, Blaðsíða 12

Surtsey, Iceland’s youngest and south-
ernmost island, has been doing pretty
well for itself lately. New research
published by the Icelandic Institute of
Natural History shows that existing life
on the island is increasing, with the
diversity of species also on the rise.
The circle of life
There are numerous interconnected
factors that play into this explosion of
life on Surtsey. Sea birds have helped
fertilise grasslands on the island, caus-
ing them to expand. This, in turn,
increases the amount of available
nesting grounds for these same birds,
attracting more birds and a larger vari-
ety of species.
These conditions are also very
appealing to insects. Their popula-
tions on the island have grown, espe-
cially where beetles and flying insects
are concerned. Where there are bugs,
there will almost always be creatures
that feed on them—which also explains
the appearance of harvestman spiders
on Surtsey.
An island younger
than Keanu Reeves
This news is even more fascinating
when you consider just how young the
island is. Starting with an undersea
eruption, it began its life as a hot little
blob of lava just poking its head above
the waves in November 1963. The erup-
tion bubbled along until June 1967, at
which point Surtsey was a mere three
square kilometres.
It didn’t take long for the aforemen-
tioned seabirds to take notice of the
new real estate, bringing plant seeds
to the island via their droppings. As it
became clear how rare and fascinating
an opportunity this presented to study
how new land develops, Surtsey was
declared a nature reserve in 1965, and
became an UNESCO World Heritage Site
in 2008.
No potatoes,
no tomatoes
There has not been much by way of
human impact on the island. There
is only one permanent structure—a
hut with a few bunk beds and a solar
powered generator. A weather station
has also been set up, along with a
webcam. Apart from that, human
influence on the island has been
intentionally and strictly limited.
Young boys once planted potatoes on
the island, but these were quickly dug
up, and later, an improperly handled
outdoor defecation resulted in the
sprouting of a tomato plant, which
was also destroyed.
Surtsey has been shrinking; in 2012,
its surface area was measured to be
1.3km2, as it is subject to intense wave
erosion. However, it is likely that Surt-
sey will remain above the surface of
the sea for another century, give or
take.
Words:
Andie Fontaine
Photo:
The Icelandic
Institute of
Natural History/
Erling Ólafsson
12 The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 13— 2019News
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“A defecation
resulted in the
sprouting of a
tomato plant,
which was
destroyed.”
Iceland’s Youngest
Island Grows Up
New research shows Surtsey is practically teeming with life
Don't go pooping your tomato seeds all over Surtsey please