Originally built in 1914 (of iron) and rebuilt in 1931 with concrete, it is about 12.8 m tall (≈42 ft) and its solar-powered light flashes every 10 seconds.
Its orange color is no coincidence: it stands out visually in foggy conditions or gray skies, facilitating navigation on a coast with strong currents and treacherous cliffs.
Its name: from the sea it is called Svörtuloftaviti, while on land it is known as Skálasnagaviti.