An island named Surtsey just off the coast of Iceland finished forming in 1967 with a total surface of 2.7 km2 (1.0 sq mi). Since then, wind and wave erosion have caused the island to steadily diminish in size
As of 2002, its surface area was 1.4 km2 (0.54 sq mi). By the year 2100, the island should disappear completely. The island’s only human impact is a hut with a few bunk beds and a solar power source to drive an emergency radio and other key electronics.
All visitors check themselves and belongings to ensure no seeds are accidentally introduced by humans to this ecosystem. Scientists keep the growth of plants as natural as possible. For example, an improperly handled human defecation resulted in a tomato plant taking root which was immediately destroyed.
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