After a meeting in Quebec, the World Heritage Committee extended its UNESCO World Heritage listing by 27 sites which includes a further Icelandic location, the volcanic island of Surtsey.
On the 8 July the World Heritage Committee added 19 cultural sites and 8 natural sites to the listing. Surtsey being in the latter category and selected due to its incredible ‘living laboratory’ environment untouched by humans. The island was 4 years in the making - a succession of oceanic volcanic eruptions from 1963-1974 created this unique land 32 km off Iceland’s south coast.
From Surtsey’s very beginnings scientists have been fascinated by its conception and development over time and as a 
result the island limits its access solely to scientists whose work ranges from volcanology research to investigations into colonisation by plants and animals.
So if Surtsey has ignited a desire to see an untouched world and you aren’t a scientist there are other ways to have a peek at this special place. Viking Tours give you the opportunity to take a 4 hour boat trip around the island……so there you go, just when you felt like you were missing out on a wonder of the world! Alternatively if you don’t have sea legs I suggest you visit the Culture House in Reykjavik and the Surtsey – Genesis Exhibition. Here you can watch footage of mother nature in action and observe Surtsey’s conception!
If you would like to experience a volcanic eruption first hand, subscribe to our Volcano Hotline and whenever there is a volcanic eruption in Iceland, Discover the World run special trips. So if you fancy seeing an eruption sign up and all you have to do is it wait!
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