Surtsey is an island of volcanic origin situated in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago along the southern coast of Iceland. The island was created by an underwater volcanic eruption that took place on November 14, 1963.
The eruption continued for several years, until June 5, 1967, at which point the island had grown to its maximum size of 2.7 square kilometers.
Ilha da Queimada Grande – Brazil
Ilha da Queimada Grande also referred to as Snake Island, is a small landmass located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil.
The island’s moderate climate provides a suitable habitat for the endangered and venomous Bothrops insularis snake species.
North Sentinel Island – India
North Sentinel Island, along with South Sentinel Island, is located in the Bay of Bengal and is part of the Andaman Islands.
The reason for prohibiting visits to this island is due to the hostility of the indigenous inhabitants.
Ise Grand Shrine – Japan
The Ise Grand Shrine, which dates back to the 3rd century, is a highly revered Shinto shrine in Japan. Its architecture is intricate and steeped in history, making it an important cultural site in the country.
Despite its historical significance, the Ise Grand Shrine remains a modest and understated structure, which is characteristic of the simplicity and minimalism found in traditional Japanese design.
Gruinard Island – Scotland
Situated in Gruinard Bay, a tiny Scottish island was purchased by the British government in 1942 for conducting experiments on biological weapons, particularly anthrax. Unfortunately, due to the spread of anthrax, 95% of the island’s population vanished.
However, after a decontamination operation in 1990, the island was declared free from anthrax contamination and safe for human habitation.
