Aerial of Surtsey Island, Iceland

Surtsey is a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland which was formed in a volcanic eruption 130 metres below sea level, and reached the surface on 14 November 1963. The eruption lasted until 5 June 1967. The undersea vents that produced Surtsey are part of the Vestmannaeyjar (Westmann Isles) submarine volcanic system, part of the fissure of the sea floor called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Higher resolution images available from rth@arctic-images.com (there is a licensing fee depending on the use).