Surtsey is an island with one house where access is forbidden to 'ordinary mortals'

(Patria) - Surtsey is a volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean located about thirty kilometers from Iceland.

It was formed by a large eruption in 1963, which began at a depth of 130 meters.

The eruption lasted for three years, and by 1967, an island with an area of 2.7 square kilometers was created.

It is not surprising, therefore, that it was named after the fire giant Surt from Norse mythology.

Soil erosion and strong winds in Northern Europe have reduced its area to about 1.3 square kilometers over time, but not the interest of scientists in this mysterious area.

UNESCO has protected the island and placed it on its World Heritage List in Europe, and only selected botanists, biologists, and volcanologists have been granted access.

Their main task is to study how an ecosystem forms without human influence, writes Punkufer.hr.

Moss and lichens were the first plant species to start growing on the island, and fulmars and kittiwakes soon began to land on Surtsey.

Today, about seventy plant species grow there, and insects, birds, and seals live on it.

There is only one house on the island where the experts who study the changes on Surtsey sleep.

Before disembarking on the island, each scientist is thoroughly searched to ensure they do not accidentally bring any seeds whose germination could disrupt the natural ecosystem.

Despite the precautions, a tomato plant grew on the island, surprising the scientists.

Or it was a surprise until one of the experts there admitted to having a bowel movement in a forbidden place on the fertile volcanic soil after consuming the fruit.

The plant was immediately removed, and the monitoring of the activities of all experts allowed to visit the island was intensified.