The island of Surtsey rose from the ocean in 1963 and is strictly off-limits to the public.

Surtsey was created by a series of submarine volcanic eruptions that began 130 meters below sea level and reached the surface on November 14, 1963. The eruption lasted until June 5, 1967, eventually forming an island with a maximum area of 2.7 square kilometers. Located approximately 32 kilometers south of Iceland, the island was named after Surtr, a fire giant from Norse mythology.The Surtsey Research Society was established in 1965 to protect the island and coordinate scientific studies. Since its formation, the island has been protected by law as a nature reserve, and in 2008, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. This strict protection ensures that the colonization of the land by plants and animals occurs through natural processes alone, such as seeds being carried by ocean currents or birds.Biologists have documented the arrival of the first vascular plant, a sea rocket, in 1965, followed by the first mosses in 1967 and lichens in 1970. By 2004, over 60 species of vascular plants had been identified on the island. Additionally, researchers have tracked the establishment of seabird colonies, including fulmars and guillemots, which significantly increased the soil fertility through their droppings. This ongoing study provides invaluable data on primary succession and the resilience of life in extreme environments.