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
On the island of Surtsey, researchers are forced to perch atop lava boulders to deposit theirs straight into the crashing ocean.
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
Surtsey, in photographs, is stark and beautiful: hard lava on the surface of the sea.
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.
