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and of the islands of Bjarnarey and Elliðaey northeast of Heimaey. The most recent volcanic episode may have started with the reported submarine eruption in 1896, followed by the Surtsey eruption of 1963–1967 and the Eldfell eruption in 1973. In contrast to the Surtsey eruption, which had an insignificant effect on the residents of Heimaey, the Eldfell eruption on their island in January to June 1973 had disastrous effects (Williams and Moore 1983). A 3-km-long eruption fissure opened up at the eastern outskirts of town; 350 houses (30% of the total) were destroyed by lava or tephra and a further 400 were damaged. Miraculously, only one life was lost, as all the islanders were evacuated from the island within hours. About two-thirds of the residents returned in following summer, or about 3500 out of 5300 pre-eruption inhabitants. The Eldfell eruption is considered to be one of the most destructive volcanic eruptions in the history of Iceland. 2 DESCRIPTION Fig. 2.5. Three-dimensional model of the Surtsey volcano (oblique view from the south), prepared by the Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, based on aerial photographs from 2004 (Loftmyndir) and depth soundings of the seabed from 2000 (Hydrographic Department). Topography The Surtsey volcano, which belongs to the Vestmannaeyjar volcanic system, rose from the sea floor in a volcanic eruption occurring from 1963 to 1967. The eruption history of Surtsey volcano is described in Chapter 2b. At the end of the eruption in 1967, the island of Surtsey had attained a surface area of 2.65 km2 and the total volume of erupted material was estimated to be 1.1 km3 , about 70% of which was tephra and 30% lava. The island is the subaerial segment of the complete Surtsey volcano, which forms a mainly submarine ridge approximately 5.8 km long and oriented southwest-northeast. Measured from northwest to southeast, the volcano's maximum width is 2.9 km and its base area encompasses some 13.2 km2 (Fig. 2.5). The Surtsey volcano has changed considerably since the eruption ended in 1967, and the following topographical and geological description is based mainly on data collected in the summer of 2004. The description of bottom topography is based on depth measurements by the Icelandic Maritime Administration in the summer of 2000. 15
SURTSEY – NOMINATION FOR THE UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST Fig. 2.6. Geological map of Surtsey. Topography is based on aerial photographs from August 2004. See also enclosed map in the scale of 1:5000. Surtsey has a surface area of 1.41km 2 , a maximum width from west to east of 1.33 km and a maximum length from north to south of 1.80 km (Fig. 2.6; see also enclosed map). It is the second largest island of the Vestmannaeyjar group, followed by Elliðaey (0.46 km 2 ) and Bjarnarey (0.33 km 2 ). Although the highest elevation on Surtsey is only 155 m, the sea depth prior to the eruption was about 130 m, so that the true height of the volcano is 285 m. Surtsey's prominent topographical features are two crescent-shaped cones composed of tephra and palagonite tuff, along with a lava field that caps the southern half of the island. Rising to an elevation of 155 m, the eastern cone, Austurbunki, is marked by several small lava 16 craters and fissures. The western cone, Vesturbunki, whose height is 141 m, has large slump scars due to marine abrasion on its western side, where a 135-m-high sea cliff has formed. From the tuff cones, the main lava field forms a shield gently dipping to the south and east. Transported coastal sediments have mainly been deposited at the north end of the island, constructing a broad spit. The shape of Surtsey is constantly modified by the harsh weather conditions which prevail in the sea south of Iceland, particularly during winter. Heavy sea waves erode the coast and produce coastal sediments. Being easily eroded and transported by the wind, loose, unconsolidated tephra has collected as aeolian deposits along the
Page 1 and 2: Ministry of Education, Science and
Page 3 and 4: • O F ICELANDIC INSTITUTE N AT U
Page 5 and 6: This nomination has been commission
Page 8 and 9: Contents 1 Identification of the pr
Page 10 and 11: 22’’N 5’’W Surtsey Nature R
Page 12 and 13: 2 Description 2.a Description of pr
Page 14 and 15: Vestmannaeyjar archipelago Surtey i
Page 18 and 19: 150 m 100 m 50 m 0 m - 50 m - 100 m
Page 20 and 21: Typical ropy lava surface at the so
Page 22 and 23: Geological definitions Accretionary
Page 24 and 25: (Friedman and Williams 1970). Altho
Page 26 and 27: sorting than the original tephra, w
Page 28 and 29: Fig. 2.9. Wind direction frequency
Page 30 and 31: older and more eroded. It is likely
Page 32 and 33: The lichen Xanthoria parietina and
Page 34 and 35: study plots revealed four main vege
Page 36 and 37: carefully recording any observation
Page 38 and 39: carried out. In the early years of
Page 40 and 41: Amara quenseli Atheta graminicola B
Page 42 and 43: 1 2 3 4 6 - 8 northern sublittoral
Page 44 and 45: Marine mammals Marine mammals have
Page 46 and 47: 2.b History and development Geologi
Page 48 and 49: Lava effusion on Surtsey, April 21,
Page 50 and 51: 0 m -100 m -200 m -300 m 6/’65 (D
Page 52 and 53: 17 February 1964: hydromagmatic eru
Page 54 and 55: The hydrothermal area at the surfac
Page 56 and 57: Area [km 2 ] 3 2 1 0 1960 1970 1980
Page 58 and 59: History of life Influx of terrestri
Page 60 and 61: Number of vascular plant species 60
Page 62 and 63: upon later attempts after growing c
Page 64 and 65: colony, a community composed mainly
Page 66 and 67:
Erling Ólafsson 1982; Gjelstrup 20
Page 68 and 69:
Number of species 60 50 40 30 20 10
Page 70 and 71:
13 Justification for inscription 3.
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Surtsey's emergence has provided a
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forms and biological communities. T
Page 76 and 77:
Italians landed and named it Ferdin
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These include, to name but a few: s
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The tephra cones have been converte
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4 State of conservation and factors
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Fig. 4.2. Mean yearly catches of fi
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(iii) Natural disasters and prepari
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15 5.a Ownership Protection and man
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“A room with a view.” (Photo fr
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The Surtsey Research Society has co
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6 Monitoring 6.a Key indicators for
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71Documentation 7.a Supplementary m
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except by permission of the Environ
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Gjelstrup, P. 2000. Soil mites and
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8 8.a Preparer Contact information
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9 Signature on behalf of the State
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List of figures Lists of figures, t
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Appendices Appendix 1a. Declaration
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APPENDICES Species status in 2005 A
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Appendix 4. Lichens species recorde
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Appendix 6. Bird species seen on or
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Coccinellidae Coccinella undecimpun
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Neomolgus littoralis (Linnaeus) Any
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APPENDICES Appendix 9a. Marine zoob
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Crustacea/Amphipoda amphipod Hippom
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effects on natural features, landsc
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