Jan Mayen Volcano
Updated: Nov 10, 2025 01:23 GMT -
Stratovolcano
Jan Mayen Island, Norway, 71.08°N / -8.17°W 
Summit height: 2277 m / 7,470 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
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Jan Mayen volcano eruptions: 1985
Latest nearby earthquakes
Svalbard & Jan Mayen: Jan Mayen Island Region Background
Remote Jan Mayen Island, located in the Norwegian Sea along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge about 650 km NE of Iceland, consists of two volcanic complexes separated by a narrow isthmus. The large Beerenberg basaltic stratovolcano (Nord-Jan) forms the NE end of the 40-km-long island, which is ringed by high cliffs. Beerenberg is a large 2277-m-high glacier-covered stratovolcano with a 1-km-wide summit crater and numerous cinder cones that were erupted along flank fissures. It is composed primarily of basaltic lava flows with minor amounts of tephra. Historical eruptions at Beerenberg date back to the 18th century. The Sor-Jan group of pyroclastic cones and lava domes occupies the SW tip of Jan Mayen. The Holocene Sor-Jan cinder cones, tephra rings, and trachytic lava domes were erupted from short fissures with a NE-SW trend.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Significant volcanic eruptions: Jan Mayen volcano
In the past 10,000 years, Jan Mayen has had at least 7 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 6 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1558 AD from Jan Mayen volcano.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1558 AD from Jan Mayen volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Jan Mayen volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Jan Mayen can be found on the news page of Jan Mayen volcano.
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beerenberg (NE flank, 0-200 m) Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| Beerenberg (NE flank, Skrukkelia) Historical obs./docs. | 1 | ||||
| Beerenberg (NE & SW flanks, summit) Historical obs./docs. | 3 | ||||
| Beerenberg (Kokssletta, NE flank) Historical obs./docs. | ? | ||||
| Beerenberg (Dagnyhaugen, SW flank) Historical obs./docs. | 3? | ||||
| Beerenberg (Eggoya, SW flank) Historical obs./docs. | 4 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| Beerenberg (Eggoya, SW flank) | ? | ||||
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution
Jan Mayen Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Jan Mayen volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Jan Mayen occurred in 1985.
+How often does Jan Mayen volcano erupt?
Since 1732, Jan Mayen volcano has had at least 6 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 49 years.
Many eruptions of Jan Mayen have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 8 out of 293 years until now. In other words, Jan Mayen has been active at least one in 36.6 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Jan Mayen is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Jan Mayen volcano at present?
Jan Mayen volcano is occasionally active: Since 1900, it has had 5 eruptions, and been active during 5 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Jan Mayen has been in eruption one in 25.2 years on average. The last eruption was in 1985 and ended 41 years ago.
+When was the largest eruption of Jan Mayen volcano?
The largest eruption of Jan Mayen volcano in historic times occurred in 1732. It ranks as a sub-plinian eruption with a magnitude 4 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Jan Mayen Volcano Maps
Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Jan Mayen volcano (scale of few kilometers)
