Jan Mayen
A lonely rock in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, the volcanic island of Jan Mayen lies halfway through Norway and Svalbard, making it a incredible sight and a rare gem for any Arctic explorer.
At the midpoint between Iceland, Svalbard and Greenland lies the enigmatic volcanic island of Jan Mayen. Jan Mayen is located precisely on the Mid Atlantic Ridge, the reason for its existence - it is Norway's only active volcano! Even more isolated and seldom visited than Svalbard, this island has fascinated travellers for centuries: not only because of its isolation but also due to the almost perpetual clouds and fog that hover almost permanently above it. Unlike Svalbard, which occupies a special constitutional status, Jan Mayen is an integral part of Norway, although no civilians live here. Beerenberg, the summit of the volcano and highest point of the island reaches 2,277 meters - making it one of Norway's 300 mountains over 2000m.
The island is inhabited by only 18 souls year-round, comprising meteorological station staff and Norwegian Military personnel. Landing on this island is exceptionally challenging, with strong swells, high winds and thick fog all frequent features of the island's weather (although there are approachable beaches throughout the island). The volcanic origin of the landscape is visible all over with cinder cones, lava flows and ash covering the lowlands, and the Fuji-esque peak of Beerenberg looming above.
Area of Jan Mayen
114.2 km²
Population of Jan Mayen
18 people
Facts about Jan Mayen
- There are no permanent residents, only temporary personnel, mainly military and meteorological staff, living in Olonkinbyen, the island’s only settlement.
- Jan Mayen has a hyperoceanic polar climate, influenced heavily by the nearby Gulf Stream. This means temperature are fairly constant throughout the year, with cool summers and cold winters, rarely plummeting below -7°C
- The island was first discovered by Dutch whaler Jan Jacobszoon May van Schellinkhout in 1614, after whom it is named.
- The island is home to Beerenberg, the northernmost active volcano in the world, which last erupted in 1985.
- There are no shops, restaurants, or tourist facilities—visitors must bring everything they need with them.
- Arctic
- Jan Mayen
Population of Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen is a remote volcanic island located in the Arctic Ocean, under Norwegian sovereignty. The island has no permanent population and is inhabited by a small crew of 18 personnel. These individuals live on the island for six-month rotations, with 14 of them working for the Norwegian Armed Forces and four employed by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. Their primary duties include operating the island's meteorological station, maintaining Jan Mayensfield airfield, and overseeing other essential infrastructure.
Wildlife of Jan Mayen
While wildlife is limited due to the harsh climate, the island is a breeding ground for various seabird species, including puffins and fulmars. The island's surrounding waters are home to various marine mammals, such as seals and whales, which thrive in the nutrient-rich waters brought by the Gulf Stream.
History of Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen’s history is relatively quiet, characterized by whaling and sealing expeditions. The island was first discovered by Dutch whaler Jan Jacobszoon May van Schellinkhout in 1614, after whom it is named. The island quickly became a Dutch whaling base, they established several whale oil boilers, to extract oil from whale blubber. As a result of the extensive hunting, the Greenland whale was driven to the brink of extinction, the whaling operations in Jan Mayen came to an end in 1650. It was then left vacant for the next 200 years.
Its remoteness and harsh environment meant it remained largely uninhabited and unexplored for centuries, only becoming more significant in the modern era due to its meteorological importance and use by the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The settlement of Olonkinbyen was established to house the personnel responsible for maintaining the island’s infrastructure and weather stations. This outpost has become a vital part of Arctic weather forecasting, with meteorological data gathered here contributing to a better understanding of Arctic conditions.
Geography of Jan Mayen
Jan Mayen is a narrow volcanic island, divided into two distinct regions: Nord-Jan in the northeast and Sør-Jan in the southwest. These two regions are connected by a 2.5-kilometer wide isthmus. The island covers an area of 373 square kilometers, and its landscape is dominated by the towering Beerenberg volcano, which stands at 2,277 meters (7,470 feet) and is the northernmost active volcano in the world.