1963, Surtsey’s birth

Far-flung islands make up a large percentage of DXpeditions. If there’s not one currently on the air, there are at least several in the planning stage. Some count as DX entities; others as IOTA.

The world’s newest island was born in 1963 and, as yet, there have been no expeditions to activate it.

On November 14 of that year the crew of a fishing boat spotted a large plume of smoke as they trolled off the coast of Iceland. Initially thinking that another vessel may be on fire, they soon realized that the smoke (and steam) were being caused by volcanic eruptions just beneath the ocean’s surface. In the weeks prior, monitors in Reykjavik had recorded increased seismic activity, oceanographers had recorded higher than normal seawater temperatures and coastal residents noticed the smell of sulphur in the air.

Surtsey today

After several days, the volcano’s peak was 45 meters above sea level and 500 meters in length. The new island was named Surtsey.

By April 1964, the violence that created Surtsey took a brief rest but resumed again from August 1966 to June 1967. Surtsey has been dormant since then and had a peak elevation of 175 meters and occupied 2.7 square kilometers.

Surtsey today is home to more than 30 species of plants, numerous insects and birds, and is host to breeding seals.

Erosion and the settling of volcanic ash have decreased Surtsey’s land mass to 1.4 square kilometers but geologists expect the island to “last for centuries” and it is now seen as a stable island.

There have been no DXpeditions to Surtsey although there is a weather station, webcam and a small hut on the island for use by researchers. Photos of Surtsey are here.

How about it, DXpeditioners? Who will be the first?

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