Surtsey

◎熊娟娟

Track 5

入選時間(Date of Inscription) 2008 年遴選標準(Criteria) (ix)遺產面積(Property ) 3,370 公頃緩沖區面積(Buffer zone) 3,190 公頃檔案編號(Dossier) 1267

被譽為火山島嶼的敘爾特塞，孕育著獨一無二的奇跡。漫步于其邊緣，仿佛置身于時間的長河中。敘爾特塞，不僅是一座島嶼，更是一段神奇的地質歷史、一部自然生態的奇跡。

Surtsey is a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland,formed by a volcanic eruption that occurred from 1963 to 1967.The island is named after the Norse mythological fire god Surtur,meaning “Island of Fire”.Surtsey is a unique natural laboratory that has1)garnered significant attention due to the timing and location of its formation.It is a focal point for research in the fields of earth sciences and biology and stands as one of the world’s youngest islands.

The volcanic eruption that led to the formation of Surtsey began on November 14, 1963, initially erupting underwater.As the volcanic activity intensified, the2)emergence of the island became apparent above the sea surface.Over the following years, continuous volcanic eruptions gradually expanded the island’s area.By 1967, the volcanic activity3)subsided, marking the completion of Surtsey’s formation.

The formation of Surtsey has not only contributed to the study of volcanology and geology but also holds significant importance for research in the field of biology.The development of4)biodiversity during Surtsey’s formation has been widely documented and studied.In the early stages of the island’s formation, the variety of species on Surtsey was very limited.However, as time progressed,an increasing number of species found a habitat on the island, providing valuable opportunities for biological research.The study of biodiversity on Surtsey has also become an important subject in the fields of ecology and environmental science.

Since they began studying the island in 1964, scientists have observed the arrival of seeds carried by ocean currents, the appearance of moulds, bacteria and fungi, followed in 1965 by the first5)vascular plant, of which there were 10 species by the end of the first decade.By 2004, they numbered 60 together with 756)bryophytes, 71 lichens and 24 fungi.89 species of birds have been recorded on Surtsey, 57 of which breed elsewhere in Iceland.The 141 ha island is also home to 335 species of7)invertebrates.

In 1979, Surtsey was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its importance and uniqueness in the fields of earth sciences and biology.Surtsey Island remains a strictly protected natural reserve, receiving high attention from the Icelandic government and the international community.The island’s ecosystem is effectively preserved, with8)vegetation and wildlife naturally evolving without external intervention.The geological features of Surtsey continue to attract geologists and scientists, who are conducting ongoing research on the formation and evolution of the island.Additionally, research on Surtsey provides in-depth understanding of volcanic activity and new ecosystems.

The current status of Surtsey Island demonstrates that strict conservation measures and ongoing scientific research provide a solid foundation for the protection of the island’s unique ecosystem and geological features.

1) garnerv.獲得；積累

2) emergencen.出現；興起

3) subsidev.減弱；平息

4) biodiversityn.生物多樣性

5) vascularadj.脈管的；血管的

6) bryophyten.苔蘚類植物

7) invertebraten.無脊椎動物

8) vegetationn.植物；草木

敘爾特塞是冰島南部海岸的一座火山島，因 1963 年至 1967 年的火山爆發而形成。這座島嶼的名字來源于北歐神話中的火神蘇爾特爾，意為“烈火之島”。敘爾特塞是一個獨特的自然實驗室，因其形成的時間和地點而備受關注。它是地球科學和生物學領域的一個重要研究對象，也是世界上最年輕的島嶼之一。

敘爾特塞的火山爆發始于 1963 年 11 月 14 日，最初的爆發是在海底開始的。隨著火山活動的不斷加劇，島嶼開始在海面上顯現。在接下來的幾年里，火山噴發不斷，島嶼的面積逐漸擴大。1967 年，火山活動逐漸減弱，敘爾特塞的形成也宣告完成。

敘爾特塞島的形成過程不僅對火山學和地質學領域的研究有所貢獻，還對生物學領域的研究有著重要的意義。在敘爾特塞島的形成過程中，生物多樣性的發展也被廣泛記錄和研究。在島嶼形成的早期階段，敘爾特塞島上的生物種類非常有限。但是隨著時間的推移，越來越多的生物種類在島上生存下來，這為生物學研究提供了寶貴的機會。敘爾特塞的生物多樣性研究也成為生態學和環境科學領域的重要研究對象。

自科學家們于1964 年開始研究該島以來，他們觀察到了被海洋洋流帶來的種子，以及在1965 年出現的霉菌、細菌和真菌，隨后是第一株維管植物的出現，到第一個十年結束時共有10 個物種。到2004 年，它們的數量增加到60 種，還有75 種苔蘚植物、71 種地衣和24 種真菌。在敘爾特塞已記錄89 種鳥類，其中有57 種在冰島其他地方繁殖。這片占地141 公頃的島嶼還是335 種無脊椎動物的家園。

1979 年，敘爾特塞被聯合國教科文組織列為世界遺產，以表彰其在地球科學和生物學領域的重要性和獨特性。敘爾特塞島目前仍然是一個被嚴格保護的自然保護區，受到冰島政府和國際社會的高度重視。島上的生態系統得到了有效的保護，植被和野生動物群落在沒有外部干預的情況下自然演化。敘爾特塞島的地質特征也繼續吸引著地質學家和科學家們的關注，他們持續對島嶼的形成和演化進行研究。同時，敘爾特塞島的研究使得人們對火山活動和新生生態系統有了深入的了解。

敘爾特塞島的現狀表明，嚴格的保護措施和科學研究的持續進行，為保護這一獨特島嶼的生態系統和地質特征提供了堅實的基礎。