Oceanwide Expeditions

Jan Mayen

Jan Mayen is a 55 kilometres long island set in the North Atlantic Ocean, half-way between Iceland and Spitsbergen. Its geologic origin is volcanic, being on a hotspot of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The still active volcano, Beerenberg (2200 metres, 7218 feet), dominates the island.

The island is named for Jan Jacobsz May, a Dutch whaler who landed here in 1614 (though the island had been seen before) and was a major whaling centre for both Dutch and English whalers. In the years that followed his visit, several summer settlements were established. Seven Dutchmen who tried to over winter in 1633-34 all died because of scurvy. When whaling ceased, the difficulties of access and the poor climate limited human activities on the island.
The first impression the visitor gets of the island is one of a rough, inhospitable landscape, studded with snowfields, the sides of Beerenberg swept by glaciers separated by steep, rocky faces.
Norway established a weather station on the island in 1921. Since 1930 Jan Mayen is part of Norway.

Climate
The weather around Jan Mayen is often not so good: it is said the weather is foul for 362 days of the year. There may be heavy rain, wind and fog but then, soon after, the sun may break through and the air becomes clear. In June, when our ships visit the island, the average temperature is around 2º to 3ºC (36º to 37ºF). The slopes of Beerenberg are perpetually snow-covered.