Giordan Lighthouse
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| Location | Għasri, Gozo |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°ECoordinates: 36°04′20″N 14°13′06″E / 36.0722°N 14.2184°E |
| Year first constructed | 1853 |
| Foundation | two storey square stone base |
| Construction | cut stone |
| Tower shape | round tower |
| Height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Focal height | 180 metres (590 ft) |
| Range | 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl.W. 7.5s |
| Admiralty number | E2050 |
The Giordan, Gordan or Ta' Gurdan Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the Maltese island of Gozo. It is located on a hill above the village of Għasri on the northern coast of the island.
An earlier lighthouse was known to exist at the site from around 1650, although there are no other specific details. The current light began operation in 1853, and was built during the period when the islands were part of the British Empire.[1][2]
During World War II, the lighthouse was used as the location for an early warning radar station. The radar would provide information about bombers coming south from Italy, allowing air raid sirens to be activated prior to the raids.[1]
Due to its hill top location it has a considerable focal height of 180m above the sea, and can be seen for 20 nautical miles, and consists of a flashing white light every 7.5 seconds.[2]
The lighthouse site is a tourist attraction, providing a panoramic viewpoint across the island, and can be accessed by car or by walking up the steep hill from the village.[1]
Air quality instruments based at the lighthouse measure a number of parameters including sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide as part of the Global Atmosphere Watch system of atmospheric monitoring. The site is the primary station for the central Mediterranean, and was upgraded between 2008 and 2011. Information is transmitted back to the University of Malta campus in Xewkija for analysis.[3][2]
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Gordan Lighthouse". Gozo Tourist attractions. Gozo Tourism Association. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Malta". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ Upgrading of Giordan Lighthouse global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) Research Station
