Surtsey Island, Iceland
If you’re attempting to check off all of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites off of your bucket list, you’re going to have to pass up Surtsey Island. 20 miles off the coast of Iceland lies the volcanic island. Since its establishment in the 1960s, the island has acted as a natural laboratory. Scientists have used the island to track the natural development of life. They monitor the appearance of molds, fungi, and bacteria, as well as gather information on the animal and plant life on the island.
Different species of fungi, lichen, and birds call the island home, as well as 335 different species of invertebrate. Since the scientists want to minimize the impact of humans, very few people are permitted onto the island.
