Atlantic Ocean – Land formations are usually very old. The Himalayas, for example, are known to be among the youngest mountain chains in the world, and they’re still between 40 and 50 million years old. Volcanic islands tend to be among the exceptions, forming as underwater volcanoes erupt. The Big Island of Hawaii, the youngest in the Hawaiian island chain, is just around 300,000 years old, and it’s still growing, but it’s nowhere near as young as Surtsey off the south coast of Iceland.
Believe it or not, Surtsey is only 62 years old. That means if you were born before 1963, you’re older than this island. It was formed by volcanic eruptions that took place between 1963 and 1967. Having been protected since its birth, Surtsey provides the world with an incredibly unique pristine natural laboratory.
It’s provided long-term information on the colonization process of new land by plant and animal life. Studies began in 1964, and since then scientists have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of mold, bacteria and fungi, and, in 1965, the first vascular plant. 89 species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey as well, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland.
Surtsey is very young, but it’s not the youngest island on Earth. Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai, just 60km off the coast of Tonga’s main island, was formed in 2014, making it just over 10 years old. Impressive!
