Island Of Surtsey Research Articles

Atmospheric dispersal shapes rapid bacterial colonization of Icelandic Lava Rocks.

Microorganisms released into the atmosphere by various disturbances can travel significant distances before depositing, yet their impact on community assembly remains unclear. To address this, we examined atmospheric and lithospheric bacterial communities in 179 samples collected at two distinct Icelandic volcanic sites: a small volcanic island Surtsey, and a volcanic highland Fimmvörðuháls using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Airborne microbial communities were similar between sites while significant differences emerged in the communities on lava rocks after 1-year exposure. SourceTracker analysis revealed distinct bacterial populations in the atmosphere and the lava rocks with surrounding soil contributed more significantly to lava rock microbial composition. Nevertheless, shared genera among air, rocks, and local sources, suggested potential exchange between these environments. The prevalent genera shared between rocks and potential sources exhibited stress-resistant properties, likely helping their survival during air transportation and facilitating their colonization of the rocks. We hypothesize that the atmosphere serves as a conduit for locally sourced microbes and stress-resistant distant-sourced microbes. Additionally, bacterial communities on the lava rocks of Fimmvörðuháls showed remarkable similarity after 1 and 9 years of exposure, suggesting rapid establishment. Our study reveals that atmospheric deposition significantly influences bacterial community formation, potentially influencing ecosystem dynamics and microbial communities' resilience.

Internal structure of the volcanic island of Surtsey and surroundings: Constraints from a dense aeromagnetic survey

Surtsey, a young basaltic island off the south coast of Iceland, was built by volcanic activity in 1963–1967 from a pre-eruption oceanic seafloor depth of 130 m. An aeromagnetic survey was carried out in October 2021 over a 60 km2 area covering Surtsey and its surroundings. It aimed to explore the internal structure and the possible existence of basaltic intrusions associated with the five vents active at different times over the 3.5 years of eruptive activity. The survey line spacing was 200 m and the flying altitude was generally 90 m a.s.l. The strongest anomalies (amplitude ∼700 nT) are caused by the 30–100 m thick subaerially erupted lava field on the southern part of Surtsey, formed in two episodes of effusive activity:1964–1965 and 1966–1967. 2D spectral analysis and Euler deconvolution indicate that the causative bodies of anomalies outside the island of Surtsey are located within the uppermost 300 m of the seafloor and their horizontal dimensions are similar to or smaller than their depth. 3D forward modeling of the island and its surroundings, constrained by observations during the formation of the island and drill cores extracted in 1979 and 2017, is consistent with an absence, at all vents, of pillow lava and therefore effusive activity in their opening phases. However, the data support the existence of a 10–20 m thick pillow lava field on the seafloor, 2.5–3 km2 in area, extending about ∼1 km to the south of Surtsey. The field is considered to have been fed by magma reaching the seafloor via channelized intrusive flow through the foreset breccia constituting the submarine part of an emerging lava delta during the early stage of effusive eruption in May–July 1964. The general scarcity of significant magnetic bodies within the edifices is consistent with magma fragmentation dominating the submarine eruptions from the onset of activity. A small magnetic anomaly is observed over the submarine edifice of Surtla, built during short-lived activity over ∼10 days in 1963–1964. This anomaly is consistent with observed subaqueous weak or moderate explosive activity that may have allowed a dyke to be preserved within the submarine tephra mound. More violent Surtseyan activity was observed at other vents, however, and may have destroyed any initial dykes that, if preserved, might have been resolved magnetically. Indications of magnetized volcanic rocks of unknown age predating the Surtsey eruption are found beneath the flank of the ephemeral island of Jólnir, the southernmost of the Surtsey vents.

Material and mechanical properties of young basalt in drill cores from the oceanic island of Surtsey, Iceland

Characterization of 2017 drill core samples from Surtsey, an oceanic island produced by 1963−1967 eruptions in the offshore extension of Iceland’s east rift zone, reveals highly heterogeneous microstructural, physical, and mechanical properties in subaerial, submarine, and subseafloor basaltic deposits. The connected porosity varies from 42% in weakly consolidated lapilli tuff in a submarine inflow zone to 21% in strongly lithified lapilli tuff in upper subseafloor deposits near the explosively excavated conduit. Permeability, however, varies over six orders of magnitude, from 10−18 m2 to 10−13 m2. Uniaxial compressive strength, P-wave velocity, and thermal conductivity are also highly variable: 10−70 MPa, 1.48−3.74 km·s−1, and 0.472−0.862 W·m−1·K−1, respectively. Synchrotron X-ray microdiffraction analyses integrated with major-element geochemistry and quantitative X-ray powder diffraction analyses describe the initial alteration of fresh glass, incipient consolidation of a fine-ash matrix, and partial closure of pores with mineral cements. Permeability, micromechanical, and thermal property modeling highlight how porosity and pore size in eruptive fabrics—modified through diverse cementing microstructures—influence the physical properties of the pyroclastic deposits. Borehole temperatures, 25−141 °C (measured from 1980 to 2018), do not directly correlate with rock strength properties; rather, the abundance and consolidation of a binding fine-ash matrix appears to be a primary factor. Analytical results integrated with archival data from 1979 drill core samples provide reference parameters for geophysical and heat transfer studies, the physical characteristics of pyroclastic deposits that lithify on a decadal scale, and the stability and survival of oceanic islands over time.

Authigenic mineralization in Surtsey basaltic tuff deposits at 50 years after eruption

Alteration of basaltic glass and in situ mineral growth are fundamental processes that influence the chemical and material properties of Earth’s oceanic crust. These processes have evolved at the basaltic island of Surtsey (SW Iceland) since eruptions terminated in 1967. Here, subaerial and submarine lapilli tuff samples from a 192 m-deep borehole drilled in 2017 (SE-02b) are characterized through petrographic studies, X-ray powder diffraction analyses, and SEM–EDS imaging and chemical analyses. The integrated results reveal (i) multi-stage palagonitization processes in basaltic glass and precipitation of secondary minerals from matrix pore fluids, (ii) multi-stage crystallization of secondary phillipsite, analcime and Al-tobermorite in the vesicles of basaltic pyroclasts and (iii) variations in palagonitization processes as a function of thermal and hydrological domains. Although temperature appears to be an important factor in controlling rates of secondary mineralization, the chemistry of original basaltic components and interstitial fluids also influences reaction pathways in the young pyroclastic deposits. The integration of systematic mineralogical analyses of the 50-year-old tuff from one of the most carefully monitored volcanic sites on Earth, together with temperature monitoring in boreholes since 1980, provide a reference framework for evaluating mineralogical evolution in other Surtseyan-type volcanoes worldwide.

Comparison of Atmospheric and Lithospheric Culturable Bacterial Communities from Two Dissimilar Active Volcanic Sites, Surtsey Island and Fimmvörðuháls Mountain in Iceland.

Surface microbes are aerosolized into the atmosphere by wind and events such as dust storms and volcanic eruptions. Before they reach their deposition site, they experience stressful atmospheric conditions which preclude the successful dispersal of a large fraction of cells. In this study, our objectives were to assess and compare the atmospheric and lithospheric bacterial cultivable diversity of two geographically different Icelandic volcanic sites: the island Surtsey and the Fimmvörðuháls mountain, to predict the origin of the culturable microbes from these sites, and to select airborne candidates for further investigation. Using a combination of MALDI Biotyper analysis and partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, a total of 1162 strains were identified, belonging to 72 species affiliated to 40 genera with potentially 26 new species. The most prevalent phyla identified were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between atmospheric and lithospheric microbial communities, with distinct communities in Surtsey's air. By combining the air mass back trajectories and the analysis of the closest representative species of our isolates, we concluded that 85% of our isolates came from the surrounding environments and only 15% from long distances. The taxonomic proportions of the isolates were reflected by the site's nature and location.

Culturable Bacterial Diversity from the Basaltic Subsurface of the Young Volcanic Island of Surtsey, Iceland.

The oceanic crust is the world’s largest and least explored biosphere on Earth. The basaltic subsurface of Surtsey island in Iceland represents an analog of the warm and newly formed-oceanic crust and offers a great opportunity for discovering novel microorganisms. In this study, we collected borehole fluids, drill cores, and fumarole samples to evaluate the culturable bacterial diversity from the subsurface of the island. Enrichment cultures were performed using different conditions, media and temperatures. A total of 195 bacterial isolates were successfully cultivated, purified, and identified based on MALDI-TOF MS analysis and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Six different clades belonging to Firmicutes (40%), Gammaproteobacteria (28.7%), Actinobacteriota (22%), Bacteroidota (4.1%), Alphaproteobacteria (3%), and Deinococcota (2%) were identified. Bacillus (13.3%) was the major genus, followed by Geobacillus (12.33%), Enterobacter (9.23%), Pseudomonas (6.15%), and Halomonas (5.64%). More than 13% of the cultured strains potentially represent novel species based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolated strains were closely related to species previously detected in soil, seawater, and hydrothermal active sites. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains were aligned against Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) from the previously published 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence datasets obtained from the same samples. Compared with the culture-independent community composition, only 5 out of 49 phyla were cultivated. However, those five phyla accounted for more than 80% of the ASVs. Only 121 out of a total of 5642 distinct ASVs were culturable (≥98.65% sequence similarity), representing less than 2.15% of the ASVs detected in the amplicon dataset. Here, we support that the subsurface of Surtsey volcano hosts diverse and active microbial communities and that both culture-dependent and -independent methods are essential to improving our insight into such an extreme and complex volcanic environment.

Characteristics of Sub-Aerially Emplaced Pyroclasts in the Surtsey Eruption Deposits: Implications for Diverse Surtseyan Eruptive Styles

The 1963–1967 shallow-to-emergent eruption in Iceland’s Vestmannaeyjar earned a place in the history of volcanology by creating the island of Surtsey while under close observation of volcanologist Sigurdur Thorarinsson (Sigurður Þórarinsson in Icelandic). This is an example of what is now called Surtseyan volcanism, and it included explosive and effusive phases from multiple vents that formed the island of Surtsey itself, as well as one fully subaqueous pyroclastic edifice and two additional, but ephemeral, islands. Sigurdur Thorarinsson identified tephra jetting and continuous uprush as characteristic types of subaerial explosive activity of Surtseyan volcanism. Subaerial cone-forming deposits of Surtseyan volcanism are typically poorly sorted, with fine-grained beds rich in sideromelane ash fragments, punctuated by larger, ubiquitously composite bombs, whereas deposits sampled by coring deep into the submarine edifice include fines-poor horizons dominated by vesicular coarse sideromelane ash. Here, we present new textural data and highlight the diversity of pyroclasts and microtextures from Surtsey (Surtur I and Surtur II) and its satellite vents (Surtla, Syrtlingur and Jolnir), in the context of Surtseyan volcanism. We used several sample sets. Some were collected during the 3.5-year long eruption and were conserved in the Icelandic Natural History Museum, including one sample from the core drilled into Surtsey in 1979. Other samples were collected during more recent field campaigns on Surtsey Island. In closing, we discuss the implications of this diversity for the range of activity and products produced by Surtsey.

Rhodothermus bifroesti sp. nov., a thermophilic bacterium isolated from the basaltic subsurface of the volcanic island Surtsey.

Novel thermophilic heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from the subsurface of the volcanic island Surtsey off the south coast of Iceland. The strains were isolated from tephra core and borehole fluid samples collected below 70 m depth. The Gram-negative bacteria were rod-shaped (0.3-0.4 µm wide, 1.5-7 µm long), aerobic, non-sporulating and non-motile. Optimal growth was observed at 70 °C, at pH 7-7.5 and with 1% NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis identified the strains as members of the genus Rhodothermus. The type strain, ISCAR-7401T, was genetically distinct from its closest relatives Rhodothermus marinus DSM 4252T and Rhodothermus profundi PRI 2902T based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (95.81 and 96.01%, respectively), genomic average nucleotide identity (73.73 and 72.61%, respectively) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (17.6 and 16.9%, respectively). The major fatty acids of ISCAR-7401T were iso-C17:0, anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0 and iso-C15:0 (>10 %). The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-7 while phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and a phospholipid were the predominant polar lipid components. Based on comparative chemotaxonomic, genomic and phylogenetic analyses, we propose that the isolated strain represents a novel species of the genus Rhodothermus with the name Rhodothermus bifroesti sp. nov. The type strain is ISCAR-7401T (=DSM 112103T=CIP 111906T).

Systemic analysis of a developing plant community on the island of Surtsey

Based on our recently developed method to quantify Gunderson and Holling's adaptive cycle, we provide a holistic analysis of a vascular plant community on the volcanic island of Surtsey between 2000 and 2018. We identify one complete adaptive cycle during the study period, which reflects the system's transition from a classic pioneer to a grassland community. Our results support the hypothesis that nutrients brought to the island by breeding gulls are the main driver of this development. The study period includes the beginning of a second cycle, which deviates from the pattern described in the metaphor. Indeed, the cycle's exploitation phase is interrupted by a simultaneous decline of all three systemic variables. We can trace this phenomenon back to a severe drought in 2012. Furthermore, the method allows us to establish the systemic role of individual species during the maturation process.

The morpholocigal variability of a Synechococcus clone from postvolcanic substrate on the island of Surtsey (Iceland)

The morpholocigal variability of a Synechococcus clone from postvolcanic substrate on the island of Surtsey (Iceland)

Human (boot) tracks preserved in volcanic deposits of Surtsey Island, Iceland

Several human boot tracks and trackways are preserved in palagonitized tuff in Surtsey Island, south Iceland. The underlying palagonitized substrate is made of reworked tephra debris talus and slump material that lies partly on top of lava flows erupted in 1964–1965 in Surtungur tuff crater and 1966–1967 in Surtur tuff crater. This stratigraphic information along with other evidence from the nature of the sediments, alteration history of the deposits and the record of human presence on the island indicate the tracks were formed in the years between 1967 and 1970. The exquisite preservation and consolidation of the tracks coincide with a period of rapid geomorphic changes in the early stages of development of the island, when the newly formed tephra was still unconsolidated and easily mobilized by mass movements, wind and runoff. Furthermore, cooling magmatic intrusions generated hydrothermal activity on the island speeding up diagenesis of the tephra and the cementation of the boot tracks in the substrate. Expulsion rims preserved in some of the boot tracks suggests the tracks were formed in moderately cohesive substrate, followed by rapid burial of the prints in heavy wind and/or storm. Three boot sizes were identified suggesting the tracks were made by at least three persons, and documentation of the boot anatomy, measurements on angle of gait, stride and pace reveal the direction of movement for each trackway. Intense erosion of the tuff cones has exhumed the tracks to the surface that stand today as a testimony to impressively rapid geological cycles for preservation and exhumation and the role of unstable and rapidly changing environments, the aftermath of high-energy events, in capturing and preserving ichnites. These boot tracks are the first fossil tracks described for Iceland and the first record in the world of boot tracks preserved in sedimentary rocks.

Bryophytes of Surtsey, Iceland: Latest developments and a glimpse of the future

Surtsey island was formed in a volcanic eruption south of Iceland in 1963 – 1967 and has since then been protected and monitored by scientists. It is the youngest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but the other islands are ca. 5 000 to 40 000 yrs old. The first two moss species were found on Surtsey as early as 1967 and several new bryophyte species were discovered every year until 1973 when regular sampling ended. Systematic bryophyte inventories in a grid of 100 m × 100 m quadrats were made in 1970 – 1972 and 2008. Here we report results from an inventory in 2018, when the same quadrats of the grid system as in 2008 were searched for bryophytes. In addition, we surveyed the bryophyte flora of Elliðaey – a ca. 5 000 yrs old island at the more sheltered north-eastern end of the archipelago. On Surtsey, distributional expansion and contraction of earlier colonists was revealed as well as presence of new colonists. Total number of taxa increased from 43 to 59 between 2008 and 2018. The average species richness increased from 4.5 taxa/quadrat in 2008 to 6.6 taxa/quadrat in 2018 (empty quadrats omitted): 32 quadrats showed an increase in species richness; three quadrats showed no change; ten quadrats showed a slight decrease of 1 – 2 taxa, while one quadrat showed a considerable decrease of 7 taxa – that quadrat was within the lush grassland of the gull colony where bryophytes were outcompeted by the graminoids. Quadrats with the strongest increase in species richness were also within areas affected by seabirds but had not been as overgrown with grassland. On Elliðaey, the predominant habitat was grassland, like the one at the centre of the gull colony on Surtsey. On the island, we registered 22 taxa; 13 were also found on Surtsey in 2018, 4 have been found on Surtsey in earlier surveys and 4 species have never been found on Surtsey. We predict the species richness on Surtsey will continue to grow but level off before starting to decrease as the lava fields disappear and grassland becomes more dominant. Continued monitoring, without long breaks, is essential to evaluate how fast the bryophyte vegetation develops in the years to come.

Bryophytes of Surtsey, Iceland: Latest developments and a glimpse of the future

Surtsey island was formed in a volcanic eruption south of Iceland in 1963 – 1967 and has since then been protected and monitored by scientists. It is the youngest island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The archipelago is of volcanic origin, but the other islands are ca. 5 000 to 40 000 yrs old. The first two moss species were found on Surtsey as early as 1967 and several new bryophyte species were discovered every year until 1973 when regular sampling ended. Systematic bryophyte inventories in a grid of 100 m × 100 m quadrats were made in 1970 – 1972 and 2008. Here we report results from an inventory in 2018, when the same quadrats of the grid system as in 2008 were searched for bryophytes. In addition, we surveyed the bryophyte flora of Elliðaey – a ca. 5 000 yrs old island at the more sheltered north-eastern end of the archipelago. On Surtsey, distributional expansion and contraction of earlier colonists was revealed as well as presence of new colonists. Total number of taxa increased from 43 to 59 between 2008 and 2018. The average species richness increased from 4.5 taxa/quadrat in 2008 to 6.6 taxa/quadrat in 2018 (empty quadrats omitted): 32 quadrats showed an increase in species richness; three quadrats showed no change; ten quadrats showed a slight decrease of 1 – 2 taxa, while one quadrat showed a considerable decrease of 7 taxa – that quadrat was within the lush grassland of the gull colony where bryophytes were outcompeted by the graminoids. Quadrats with the strongest increase in species richness were also within areas affected by seabirds but had not been as overgrown with grassland. On Elliðaey, the predominant habitat was grassland, like the one at the centre of the gull colony on Surtsey. On the island, we registered 22 taxa; 13 were also found on Surtsey in 2018, 4 have been found on Surtsey in earlier surveys and 4 species have never been found on Surtsey. We predict the species richness on Surtsey will continue to grow but level off before starting to decrease as the lava fields disappear and grassland becomes more dominant. Continued monitoring, without long breaks, is essential to evaluate how fast the bryophyte vegetation develops in the years to come.

Human (boot) tracks preserved in volcanic deposits of Surtsey Island, Iceland

Several human boot tracks and trackways are preserved in palagonitized tuff in Surtsey Island, south Iceland. The underlying palagonitized substrate is made of reworked tephra debris talus and slump material that lies partly on top of lava flows erupted in 1964–1965 in Surtungur tuff crater and 1966–1967 in Surtur tuff crater. This stratigraphic information along with other evidence from the nature of the sediments, alteration history of the deposits and the record of human presence on the island indicate the tracks were formed in the years between 1967 and 1970. The exquisite preservation and consolidation of the tracks coincide with a period of rapid geomorphic changes in the early stages of development of the island, when the newly formed tephra was still unconsolidated and easily mobilized by mass movements, wind and runoff. Furthermore, cooling magmatic intrusions generated hydrothermal activity on the island speeding up diagenesis of the tephra and the cementation of the boot tracks in the substrate. Expulsion rims preserved in some of the boot tracks suggests the tracks were formed in moderately cohesive substrate, followed by rapid burial of the prints in heavy wind and/or storm. Three boot sizes were identified suggesting the tracks were made by at least three persons, and documentation of the boot anatomy, measurements on angle of gait, stride and pace reveal the direction of movement for each trackway. Intense erosion of the tuff cones has exhumed the tracks to the surface that stand today as a testimony to impressively rapid geological cycles for preservation and exhumation and the role of unstable and rapidly changing environments, the aftermath of high-energy events, in capturing and preserving ichnites. These boot tracks are the first fossil tracks described for Iceland and the first record in the world of boot tracks preserved in sedimentary rocks.

Coastal changes in Surtsey Island, 1972-75

Coastal changes in Surtsey Island, 1972-75

Volcanic tremor associated with the Surtsey eruption of 1963–1967

The formation of the island of Surtsey over 3.5 years, remains one of the best-documented volcanic, island-forming eruptions to date. The basaltic submarine volcanic activity was detected on November 14, 1963, where ocean depth was 130 m prior to the eruption at the southern end of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. The eruptions occurred in several phases involving explosive and effusive activity, including the initial submarine phase on November 12–13, 1963. Separate phases of subaerial volcanic activity occurred during November 14, 1963–January 1964, January–April 1964, April 1964–May 1965, May–October 1965, December 1965–August 1966, and August 1966–June 1967. Seismic data quality from this period is inferior compared to that of modern monitoring systems. Four permanent seismic stations were operated in Iceland at the time, whereof only two, located at 115 and 140 km distance, had the sensitivity to record tremor from Surtsey. Nevertheless, the scanned analog seismograms (http://seismis.hi.is/) show that the eruptive activity was accompanied by considerable seismic activity, both earthquakes, and volcanic tremor. Earthquakes were primarily associated with changes in vent location. Both spasmodic and harmonic tremor was identified, both with low (<3 Hz) and higher (3–5 Hz) characteristic frequencies. The results indicate a complicated relationship between tremor and magma flow rate or style of activity. During the explosive eruption, the highest magma flow rates occurred in the first 10–20 days, a period with little observed tremor. The highest tremor is observed in December 1963–March 1964, after the discharge rates had dropped substantially, and on a timescale of hours-to-days, no clear relationship between tremor and eruption style is observed. The same applies to the effusive activity, where no seismic tremor was observed during most of the effusive eruption of Surtungur, despite the fact that magma flow rates were ~3 times higher than during later phases where some tremor was observed. Keywords: Submarine volcanism, eruption precursors, volcanic tremor, precursory tremor, continuous uprush eruptions

Observations of cetaceans in the waters of the Surtsey Nature Reserve between 2008 and 2021

The island of Surtsey originated from an underwater eruption in 1963 and has since been studied extensively, illustrating the colonization and succession by numerous species in both the terrestrial and marine habitats. However, there is little information on the cetaceans occurring near the island. Here we show that killer whales, pilot whales and minke whales are observed within the Surtsey Nature Reserve in June-August, although survey effort within this area has been lower than in other parts of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago. Thus, we expect the list of species will increase with higher effort in the future. Killer whales were the species observed most commonly and were seen during the summer months, most often on the east and north coasts. Both observational and animal-attached tag data suggest killer whales were feeding within the reserve, and the only prey identified was herring. However, seasonal survey effort limits a comprehensive understanding of the prey killer whales may target within this area and particularly whether killer whales may target the seal colonies established here during autumn and winter. In the future, increased effort in summer and at other times of the year, would help fill in these gaps in our knowledge of the importance of the Surtsey nature reserve for cetaceans.

The geomorphology of Surtsey Island in 1972

The geomorphology of Surtsey Island in 1972

CORRIGENDUM

Earth Surface Processes and LandformsVolume 46, Issue 15 p. 3291-3291 CORRIGENDUMFree Access CORRIGENDUM This article corrects the following: A model for wave abrasion on underwater bedrock, with an application to rapidly downwearing tephra cones adjacent to Surtsey Island in Iceland Tsuguo Sunamura, Volume 46Issue 8Earth Surface Processes and Landforms pages: 1600-1609 First Published online: April 27, 2021 First published: 14 December 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5241AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat In the referenced article, Sunamura (2021), an author name was cited incorrectly. Page 1601, Left column, 21st line from the bottom: “Zao et al., 2019” should read “Zhao et al., 2019”. Page 1609, Right column, 4th line from the bottom: “Zao, Z.” should read “Zhao, Z.” In the Reference section, “Zao, Z., Mitchell, N.C., Quartau, R., Tempera, F. & Bricheno, L. (2019) Submarine platform development by erosion of a Surtseyan cone at Capelinhos, Faial Island, Azores. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44(15), 2982–3006. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4724”. Should read: “Zhao, Z., Mitchell, N.C., Quartau, R., Tempera, F. & Bricheno, L. (2019) Submarine platform development by erosion of a Surtseyan cone at Capelinhos, Faial Island, Azores. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44(15), 2982–3006. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4724”. The author would like to apologise for this error. REFERENCE Sunamura, T. (2021) A model for wave abrasion on underwater bedrock, with an application to rapidly downwearing tephra cones adjacent to Surtsey Island in Iceland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 46(8), 1600– 1609. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5128Wiley Online LibraryWeb of Science®Google Scholar Volume46, Issue15December 2021Pages 3291-3291 ReferencesRelatedInformation

Basalt-Hosted Microbial Communities in the Subsurface of the Young Volcanic Island of Surtsey, Iceland.

The island of Surtsey was formed in 1963–1967 on the offshore Icelandic volcanic rift zone. It offers a unique opportunity to study the subsurface biosphere in newly formed oceanic crust and an associated hydrothermal-seawater system, whose maximum temperature is currently above 120°C at about 100m below surface. Here, we present new insights into the diversity, distribution, and abundance of microorganisms in the subsurface of the island, 50years after its creation. Samples, including basaltic tuff drill cores and associated fluids acquired at successive depths as well as surface fumes from fumaroles, were collected during expedition 5059 of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program specifically designed to collect microbiological samples. Results of this microbial survey are investigated with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and scanning electron microscopy. To distinguish endemic microbial taxa of subsurface rocks from potential contaminants present in the drilling fluid, we use both methodological and computational strategies. Our 16S rRNA gene analysis results expose diverse and distinct microbial communities in the drill cores and the borehole fluid samples, which harbor thermophiles in high abundance. Whereas some taxonomic lineages detected across these habitats remain uncharacterized (e.g., Acetothermiia, Ammonifexales), our results highlight potential residents of the subsurface that could be identified at lower taxonomic rank such as Thermaerobacter, BRH-c8a (Desulfallas-Sporotomaculum), Thioalkalimicrobium, and Sulfurospirillum. Microscopy images reveal possible biotic structures attached to the basaltic substrate. Finally, microbial colonization of the newly formed basaltic crust and the metabolic potential are discussed on the basis of the data.