Incredible island off the coast of Europe's 'most beautiful' country is closed to tours | World

Iceland is known for its hot springs, chilly weather, and stunning landscapes. But a lesser-known part of Iceland is Surtsey Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that people are not allowed to visit.

It is a volcanic island located in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off the country’s southern coast and hailed as the most beautiful place in Europe.

It was formed in 1963 when an explosion occurred underwater and eventually rose above sea level. Therefore, it is one of the newest islands in the world. In those years only a select few were allowed to visit Surtsey.

No human intervention also allows researchers to see how a new island develops naturally. UNESCO says of the island: “It is all the more extraordinary because it has been protected since its birth, providing the world with an untouched natural laboratory.”#

“Free from human intervention, Surtsey produces unique long-term information about the process of colonization of new lands by plant and animal life.

“Since scientists began studying the island in 1964, they have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the emergence of molds, bacteria and fungi, followed in 1965 by the first vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first decade.

“By 2004 these numbered 60, with 75 bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi. 89 species of birds were recorded on Surtsey, of which 57 bred elsewhere in Iceland.

“The 141-hectare island is also home to 335 invertebrate species.”

As the youngest island on the planet, it has been named the most studied island due to its infancy; This is because scientists can track all the evidence of its formation.

Although no one is allowed to set foot on the volcanic island, people can book boat tours to get as close to the island as possible.

Reviews about such tours are few, but some people claim that the island can be seen even from the boat in really good weather.