Vatnsnes Lighthouse
Hrannargata 5, 230 Keflavík, Iceland
Name and Location
The Vatnsnes Lighthouse is located in Keflavík, Iceland, and is a crucial navigation aid for mariners traversing the country's rugged coastline.
Construction and History
The Vatnsnes Lighthouse was constructed in 1934 to address the growing need for reliable navigational assistance in the region. Prior to its construction, ships often found themselves lost or stranded along the treacherous coastline, resulting in numerous shipwrecks and tragic losses.
Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse stands at an impressive height of unknown, with a focal plane of unknown. Its red and white striped tower is a distinctive feature of the Icelandic coast, serving as a beacon for ships and a testament to human ingenuity. The lighthouse's original design was influenced by international maritime authorities, with the US NGA (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency) playing a significant role in its development.
Light and Navigation
The Vatnsnes Lighthouse is an automated aid to navigation, eliminating the need for manual operation. Its lighting system is designed to provide a range of unknown nautical miles, with a characteristic pattern of Fl(3)W.15s (three flashes every 15 seconds).
Accessibility and Visiting
Visitors can access the lighthouse premises, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. The site is open to the public during daylight hours, allowing individuals to appreciate the lighthouse's architecture and historical significance.
Notable Views and Landscape
The Vatnsnes Lighthouse has been recognized for its importance in Icelandic maritime history.
Technical and Operational Details
- The lighthouse is listed as a "light_minor" in the US NGA Pub. 115 (2010-09-09).
- It is referenced by wikidata with the ID Q3378427.
- The Vatnsnes Lighthouse has been recognized for its importance in Icelandic maritime history.
Further Information
The lighthouse's precise coordinates are -22.5433869, 64.0020423 (GeoJSON Point).
Details
Name | Vatnsnes Lighthouse |
---|---|
City | Keflavík |
Country | Iceland |
Coordinates | 64.0020423, -22.5433869 |
Year of construction | 1934 |
Events | numerous shipwrecks |
Historic significance | Icelandic maritime heritage |
Stories | shipwrecks and tragic losses |
Focal height | 63.5 |
Tower height | 133 |
Accessible | true |
Landscape type | rocky coast |
View description | breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline and the Atlantic Ocean |
Guided tours | false |
Facilities | toilets, café, gift shop |
Opening hours | daylight hours |
Light characteristic | Fl(3)W.15s |
Light range | 9 |
Automated | true |