The World About Us (1967 - 1987): The World's Newest Island
(1976)
On 14th November 1963 Surtur, the Fire Giant, erupted out of the North Atlantic; this was the spectacular birth of Sturtsey, an island off iceland's southern coast.
At first nothing lived on its molten landscape, but as it cooled an invasion of life began. Here was a unique opportunity for scientists to observe an island community of animals and plants in creation, and to record the processes of colonisation which have been going on ever since life began on earth.
