Nýey (in Icelandic pronounced as /ˈniːˌeiː/), Nýeyjar in Icelandic pronounced as /ˈniːˌeiːjar̥/, Nyø (Danish), was a small, uninhabited island that formed in 1783 due to an underwater eruption in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge southwest of Reykjanes, Iceland. It disappeared within a year.[1] [2]
The formation of "Nýeyjar" began on May 1, 1783. It attracted a lot of attention and some connected it to the 1783 Calabrian earthquakes.[2]
The captain of a 'small ship' ("") that sailed in the area, wrote in his diary about a burning island due southwest of Geirfuglasker. He tried to observe it but had to stay over half a mile away, due to the poisonous sulphurous smoke.[1] [2]
King Christian VII of Denmark named the island "Nýey", ordered an expedition to it, and dedicated it to the monarchy with a Danish flag. He also planned for an inscribed stone to be placed on the island.[1] [2]
It had disappeared by the summer of 1784, when Magnús Stephensen (Lawyer and Supreme Court Judge), planned to dedicate it to the king whilst en route to Copenhagen.[1] [2]