Surtsey: Evolution of Life on a Volcanic Island focuses on the origin of life in the island of Surtsey. The book first offers information on the Surtsey Research Society, conservation measures, and scientists that comprise the Surtsey research team. The text then focuses on the submarine eruptions off the coasts of Iceland, the flow of lava, and the formation and disappearance of islets. The book also describes the landscape that came about after the eruption. The tephra cones of the Surtur I and II craters, lava, coastal plains, and thermal areas are discussed. The text also underscores the ecological aspects of the eruption. The Icelandic biota and ecological studies on the island are discussed. The text also traces the origin of life in the island, including the dispersal of seeds by birds and "Mermaids purses." The text also underscores the origin of marine algae and marine fauna on the island. The book then emphasizes the presence of bacteria, molds, lichens, mosses, terrestrial animals, birds, and vascular plants in the island. The text also examines the outer Westman Islands. Topographical features, method of research, plant communities, and vegetation of the smaller islands are described. The book also notes the vegetation of Heimaey and the effects of insular eruptions on the southern coast of Iceland. The text is a good source of reference for readers wanting to study volcanic eruptions.

Developments in Geotectonics, 4: The Upper Mantle focuses on the upper mantle and its influence on the development of the earth's crust, including history of the moon and other planets and volcanology. The selection first offers information on the origin of the earth, including ideas on the formation process of the terrestrial planets, condensation of dust particles, nature of the earth's core, thermal history of the earth, and fractionation of iron in the terrestrial planets. The text then ponders on the beginning of continental evolution, as well as the oldest rocks of the earth's crust, thermal history of the moon, and early history of the other planets. The text elaborates on magmatic activity as the major process in the chemical evolution of the earth's crust and mantle; trends in the evolution of continents; progress and problems in volcanology; and pressure and temperature conditions and tectonic significance of regional and ocean-floor metamorphism. The manuscript also takes a look at the state of mantle minerals, melting temperatures in the earth's mantle, and geomagnetic induction studies and the electrical state of the upper mantle. The publication is a dependable reference for readers interested in the study of the upper mantle.

The birth of the island was in itself an interesting geological phenomenon but the island also became a biological laboratory, where scientists could investigate how organisms disperse across the ocean to remote islands and how plants and animals colonize completely barren areas like Surtsey whith its extremely hostile habitat, sub-arctic environment and its substrate of lava, ash and pumice. On Surtsey it was possible to demonstrate how seed and various living organisms are carried by air or ocean currents over great distances and how they manage to disperse on their own or are transported by other means. The thorough investigations carried out on Surtsey showed how the pioneers invaded the island and were gradually joined by others in forming primitive societies and simple ecosystems. These societies are then compared whith the more advanced communities on neighboring islands in order to predict the future development of life on Surtsey until it reaches its ecological climax. English language version.