Jan Mayen is the Norwegian island home to Beerenberg, the world’s northernmost active volcano.
Jan Mayen lies in the Arctic Ocean between Greenland and mainland Norway. The island is about 373 square kilometres in area and is dominated by Beerenberg, a glacier-covered stratovolcano rising to 2,277 metres. Its name means “Bear Mountain.”
The volcano last erupted in 1985, after earlier eruptions in 1970 and 1973. Jan Mayen has no permanent civilian population, but Norwegian personnel operate a weather station and other facilities there.
Jan Mayen is often confused with Svalbard because both are Norwegian Arctic territories. Svalbard is a large archipelago, while Jan Mayen is a separate volcanic island much farther southwest. The island and its surrounding waters are protected, and access is restricted because of its remote environment and scientific importance.