The surface changes of the Fe disc electrode are systematically investigated in the present study when the Fe/2 M H2SO4 + 0.03 M Br- system gives rise to beating and bursting oscillations under rotation of the Fe electrode. Beating oscillations are observed at the least positive potentials of the oscillatory region, close to the plateau current region, whereas upon increasing the potential, bursting oscillations appear. The appearance of each type of oscillations is related with certain features of the film composition and structure. These are identified by means of the scanning electron micrographs of the Fe surface taken at various potentials of the oscillatory region and various times during the course of a bursting periodic cycle. The correlation between the surface processes and the surface morphology at the plateau and passive regions of the I-E polarization curve reveals clues for the mechanism of bursting and beating oscillations. In particular, two competitive processes are discussed; the formation of a protective oxide film and the pitting corrosion induced by Br-, Due to the latter process the current gradually increases leading to an increase of the IR-drop and a slow shift of the real electrode potential to lesser positive values. If IR = (IR)(crit) then bursting oscillations occur. When the oxide formation rate exceeds a threshold value, then the IR becomes lower than a critical value and the Fe turns to its passive state. Bromides induce again pitting corrosion and the events described above are repeated.