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Jan Mayen is an isolated island in the Arctic Ocean about 500 km (310 mi) east of central Greenland, 600 km (370 mi) northeast of Iceland and 900 km (560 mi) west northwest of the Vesterålen area of northern Norway. The island is 55 km (34 mi) long and is sometimes described as being shaped like a spoon. The north end of the island, the bowl of the spoon, is occupied by the 2277 m (7470 ft) peak of Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano in the world. The island is named for a Dutch captain, one of two who led a 1614 expedition to the island. Ownership of Jan Mayen was uncertain until after World War I, when the League of Nations decided to assign its administration to Norway. Norway established a weather station on the island in 1921 and formally annexed it in 1930. The weather station continues in operation, supported by the Norwegian military. It is generally occupied by 15 to 35 personnel who serve six month or twelve month assignments depending on their role. Visits require permission from the military. Visitors include adventure cruise ship passengers and amateur radio operators seeking to use the island's very rare JX call sign. Admiralty numbers are from Volume L of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. NGA numbers are from Publication 115.
Adjoining pages: East: Vesterålen | Southwest: Northern Iceland Return to the Lighthouse Directory index Posted January 23, 2026. Site copyright 2026 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. |
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