Surtsey
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of Surtsey
First recorded in 1960–65; from Icelandic; literally, “Surt's Island,” equivalent to Surt-, a proper name + -s, genitive singular noun ending + ey “island”; see origin at Surt ( def. ), island ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Long-term research like that carried out on Surtsey is invaluable for biology," says Dr. Wasowicz.
From Science Daily • Nov. 4, 2025
Surtsey was formed by a volcanic explosion in 1963, making the island younger than most of the scientists studying it.
From Scientific American • Oct. 19, 2023
This includes Surtseyan eruptions, named after Surtsey, a volcano off the Icelandic coast that explosively grew above the waves in the 1960s until it formed a new island.
From New York Times • Sep. 11, 2021
The volcanic island of Surtsey became a kind of natural laboratory in which the arrival of life could be observed taking place.
From The Guardian • Jul. 31, 2010
The island was later named Surtsey, after the Norse god of fire and destruction.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
