
An Island That Formed Spontaneously 60 Years Ago
On the morning of November 14, 1963, a fishing boat off the southern shores of Iceland noticed something peculiar: the sea was boiling, and ash and steam were erupting into the sky. The underwater volcanic eruption that began that day continued to spew lava and ash for the next four years, essentially creating an island out of nothing. Named Surtsey, after the fire giant Surtur from Viking mythology, it is now the youngest island in the world. However, this birth story also set a countdown clock ticking. Just as it emerged, Surtsey will one day be swallowed back by the sea.



















