On the 14th of November 1963 seamen, that were fishing about   20km southwest of Heimaey observed the beginnings of an undersea   eruption that originated at a 130 metre depth.

An island eventually rose to a height of 169 metres above sea level that had   an area of 2,5km˛. This island was named Surtsey for Surtur, the fire   possessing giant of Norse mythology who would set fire to the earth at the   Last Judgment.

For three and a half years Surtsey rumbled and lava flowed. Long before the   eruption stopped the island was proclaimed a nature preserve and all travel   there was restricted to scientist that used this unique opportunity to study   the gradual development of life on a sterile landmass.

The first living found in the ash deposits close to shore. In May of the same   year a fly was found on the island. Sea gulls visited the tide waters furthest   from creter. The first vascular plant to flower along the shore was the sea   rocket, observed in 1965.

By 1987, twenty-five species of higher plants had been observed,   transported there by seed in the sea currents, some   from nearby island,   other from the southern Icelandic coast 40 kilometres off. Other species of   plants have been carried there by yhe winds or birds from Europe.

Surtsey is a favorite resting place for migratory birds during seasonal flights to   and from Iceland and Europe. They visit there yearly by the thousands.   Seals also visit the island and relax on its beaches.

Today five species of birds nest on Surtsey: the Herring Gull, the Black   Backed Gull, the Black Guillemot, The Kittiwake and Fulmar which was
  the first species to nest there and hatch its young on the warm lava in 1970.