Reykjanesviti

Reykjanesviti

Location	Reykjanes peninsula
Coordinates	63.815673°N 22.704197°W / 63.815673; -22.704197
Tower
Constructed	1878
Construction	concrete tower
Height	31 metres (102 ft)
Shape	tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower, red lantern room
Light
First lit	1929
Focal height	73 metres (240 ft)
Range	22 nmi (41 km; 25 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (2) W 30 s.
Iceland no.	VIT-001

Reykjanesviti (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈreiːcaˌnɛːsˌvɪːtɪ]) is Iceland's oldest lighthouse, located at Reykjanestá. It serves as a landfall light for Reykjavík and Keflavík.

History

The tower is a 31 metres (102 ft) tall construction, situated on the southwestern edge of the Reykjanes peninsula.[1] The original structure was built in 1878; just eight years later the building was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1929 the current Reykjanesviti lighthouse, a concrete construction yet with traditional looks, was illuminated. Its focal plane measures 73 metres above sea level.[1]

The light characteristic is "Fl (2) W 30 s.", i.e. a group of two flashing lights every 30 seconds. An antenna for the transmission of DGPS-signals in the longwave range is mounted on the rooftop.[1] There is also a two-story keeper's residence built in the modern area, and the lighthouse has a resident keeper.[1] The lighthouse is located near an area of thermal activity, and steam from this source is often seen in photographs of the lighthouse.[1]

See also

• List of lighthouses in Iceland

References

1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Western Iceland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 2010-05-17.

External links

• Heimasíða Siglingastofnunar Íslands –Reykjanesviti (in Icelandic)