Geography of Greenland#Extreme points

Total area:

2,166,086 km²

Land area:

2,166,086 km² (410,449 km² ice-free, 1,755,637 km² ice-covered)

Maritime claims:

Territorial sea:

{{convert|3|nmi|km mi|1}}

Exclusive fishing zone:

{{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|lk=in}}

Arable land:

approximately 6%; some land is used to grow silage.

Permanent crops:

Approximately 0%

Other:

100% (2012 est.)

The total population comprises around 56,000 inhabitants, of whom approximately 18,000 live in the capital, Nuuk.

Continuous ice sheet covers 84% of the country; the rest is permafrost.

Protection of the Arctic environment, climate change, pollution of the food chain, excessive hunting{{Cite web |title=EcoAdvise & Communication |url=http://www.ecoadvise.dk/news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405233747/http://www.ecoadvise.dk:80/news.html |archive-date=5 April 2010 |access-date=2007-02-05}} of endangered species (walrus, polar bears, narwhal, beluga whale and several sea birds).

File:Koppen-Geiger Map v2 GRL 1991–2020.svg

{{See also|Climate of Greenland|}}

File:Retreat of the Helheim Glacier, Greenland.jpg

File:Cambios_en_la_capa_de_hielo_de_Groenlandia.jpg

File:Topographic map of Greenland bedrock.jpg

Greenland's climate is a tundra climate on and near the coasts and an ice cap climate in inland areas. It typically has short, cool summers and long, moderately cold winters.

Due to Gulf Stream influences, Greenland's winter temperatures are very mild for its latitude. In Nuuk, the capital, average winter temperatures are only {{cvt|-9|C|F}}.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190210040507/https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2019/DMIRep18-19.pdf|archive-date=10 February 2019|url=https://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2019/DMIRep18-19.pdf|title=DMI Report 18–19: Climatological Standard Normals 1981–2010 Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland Based on Data Published in DMI Reports 18–08, 18–04 and 18–05|publisher=Danish Meteorological Institute|access-date=10 February 2019}} In comparison, the average winter temperatures for Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada, are around {{cvt|-27|C|F}}.{{cite web|publisher=Environment Canada|url=http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=1758|id=Climate ID: 2402590|title=Iqaluit A|work=Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010|access-date=February 24, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516193447/http://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1981_2010_e.html?stnID=1758|archive-date=May 16, 2017 |date=31 October 2011}} Conversely, summer temperatures are very low, with an average high around {{cvt|10|C|F}}. This is too low to sustain trees, and the land is treeless tundra.

On the Greenland ice sheet, the temperature is far below freezing throughout the year,{{cite journal|last1=Shuman|first1=Christopher A.|last2=Steffen|first2=Konrad|last3=Box|first3=Jason E.|last4=Stearns|first4=Charles R.|title=A Dozen Years of Temperature Observations at the Summit: Central Greenland Automatic Weather Stations 1987–99|journal=Journal of Applied Meteorology|publisher=American Meteorological Society|volume=40|issue=4|year=2001|issn=0894-8763|doi=10.1175/1520-0450(2001)040<0741:adyoto>2.0.co;2|pages=741–752|bibcode=2001JApMe..40..741S|doi-access=free|hdl=11603/24315|hdl-access=free}} and record high temperatures have peaked only slightly above freezing. The record high temperature at Summit Camp is {{cvt|2.2|C|F}}.{{cite web|title=Vejrekstremer Grønland|website=Danish Meteorological Institute|url=http://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/vejrekstremer-groenland/|language=da|access-date=2020-04-19|archive-date=2021-12-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227194341/https://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/vejrekstremer-groenland/|url-status=dead}}

In the far south of Greenland, there is a very small forest in the Qinngua Valley, due to summer temperatures being barely high enough to sustain trees. There are mountains over {{convert|1,500|m|ft}} high surrounding the valley, which protect it from cold, fast winds travelling across the ice sheet.{{cite web|url=http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries/NA/Greenland/Kujalleq/Qinngua.htm|title=Qinngua Valley|date=23 June 2013 |publisher=Wondermondo |access-date=2015-01-20}} It is the only natural forest in Greenland, but is only {{convert|15|km|mi}} long.

{{Weather box

|location=Nuuk

|metric first=Y

|single line=Y

|width=auto

|Jan record high C=13.5

|Feb record high C=13.0

|Mar record high C=13.2

|Apr record high C=14.6

|May record high C=18.3

|Jun record high C=23.8

|Jul record high C=26.3

|Aug record high C=25.1

|Sep record high C=23.8

|Oct record high C=19.9

|Nov record high C=15.8

|Dec record high C=13.2

|year record high C=26.3

|Jan high C=−5.6

|Feb high C=−6.3

|Mar high C=−6.8

|Apr high C=−1.4

|May high C=3.4

|Jun high C=7.7

|Jul high C=10.2

|Aug high C=10.4

|Sep high C=6.3

|Oct high C=1.8

|Nov high C=−1.1

|Dec high C=−3.4

|year high C=1.3

|Jan mean C=-8.2

|Feb mean C=-9.1

|Mar mean C=-9.2

|Apr mean C=-3.6

|May mean C=0.8

|Jun mean C=4.4

|Jul mean C=6.8

|Aug mean C=7.3

|Sep mean C=3.7

|Oct mean C=-0.3

|Nov mean C=-3.4

|Dec mean C=-5.8

|year mean C=-1.4

|Jan low C=−10.4

|Feb low C=−11.5

|Mar low C=−11.4

|Apr low C=−5.7

|May low C=−2.5

|Jun low C=1.7

|Jul low C=3.8

|Aug low C=4.0

|Sep low C=2.8

|Oct low C=−2.1

|Nov low C=−5.4

|Dec low C=−8.0

|year low C=−3.7

|Jan record low C=-32.5

|Feb record low C=-29.6

|Mar record low C=-27.5

|Apr record low C=-30.0

|May record low C=-19.0

|Jun record low C=-10.3

|Jul record low C=-6.6

|Aug record low C=-4.7

|Sep record low C=-8.2

|Oct record low C=-16.6

|Nov record low C=-24.4

|Dec record low C=-25.2

|year record low C=-32.5

|precipitation colour=green

|Jan precipitation mm=54.7

|Feb precipitation mm=51.1

|Mar precipitation mm=49.1

|Apr precipitation mm=45.6

|May precipitation mm=56.5

|Jun precipitation mm=60.6

|Jul precipitation mm=81.3

|Aug precipitation mm=89.1

|Sep precipitation mm=90.2

|Oct precipitation mm=66.5

|Nov precipitation mm=75.2

|Dec precipitation mm=62.0

|year precipitation mm=781.6

|unit precipitation days=0.1 mm

|Jan precipitation days=13.8

|Feb precipitation days=12.7

|Mar precipitation days=15.1

|Apr precipitation days=13.2

|May precipitation days=13.0

|Jun precipitation days=10.5

|Jul precipitation days=12.5

|Aug precipitation days=12.5

|Sep precipitation days=14.1

|Oct precipitation days=13.5

|Nov precipitation days=14.3

|Dec precipitation days=14.4

|year precipitation days=159.6

|Jan snow days=13.6

|Feb snow days=12.1

|Mar snow days=14.5

|Apr snow days=11.4

|May snow days=9.4

|Jun snow days=2.8

|Jul snow days=0.1

|Aug snow days=0.2

|Sep snow days=4.3

|Oct snow days=9.8

|Nov snow days=12.7

|Dec snow days=13.8

|year snow days=104.7

|Jan humidity=78

|Feb humidity=79

|Mar humidity=81

|Apr humidity=81

|May humidity=84

|Jun humidity=84

|Jul humidity=87

|Aug humidity=87

|Sep humidity=83

|Oct humidity=78

|Nov humidity=76

|Dec humidity=77

|year humidity=81

|Jan sun=15.5

|Feb sun=65.0

|Mar sun=148.8

|Apr sun=180.0

|May sun=189.1

|Jun sun=204.0

|Jul sun=195.3

|Aug sun=164.3

|Sep sun=141.0

|Oct sun=80.6

|Nov sun=30.0

|Dec sun=6.2

|year sun=

|Jand sun=0.5

|Febd sun=2.3

|Mard sun=4.8

|Aprd sun=6.0

|Mayd sun=6.1

|Jund sun=6.8

|Juld sun=6.3

|Augd sun=5.3

|Sepd sun=4.7

|Octd sun=2.6

|Novd sun=1.0

|Decd sun=0.2

|yeard sun=3.9

|source 1=Danish Meteorological Institute{{cite web

|url=http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/2000/tr00-18.pdf

|title=The Observed Climate of Greenland, 1958–99 with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961–90

|publisher=Danish Meteorological Institute

|access-date=31 October 2019}}

|source 2=Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),

{{cite web

|url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=149

|title=Station Nuuk

|publisher=Météo Climat

|language=fr

|access-date=10 February 2019}} Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity 1961–1990, sun 1980–1990)

{{cite web

|url=https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_042500_kt.pdf

|title=Klimatafel von Godthaab (Nuuk) / Grönland (zu Dänemark)

|work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world

|publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst

|language=de

|access-date=16 December 2019}}

}}

The Greenland ice sheet is {{convert|3|km|mi|1|sp=us}} thick and broad enough to blanket an area the size of Mexico. The ice is so massive that its weight presses the bedrock of Greenland below sea level and is so all-concealing that not until recently did scientists discover Greenland's Grand Canyon or the possibility that Greenland might actually be three islands.[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-25-sci-greenland25-story.html "Greenland's Ice Sheet Is Slip-Sliding Away"], Los Angeles Times, June 25, 2006

If the ice melted, the interior bedrock below sea level would be covered by water. It is not clear whether this water would be at sea level or a lake above sea level. If it would be at sea level it could connect to the sea at Ilulissat Icefjord, in Baffin Bay and near Nordostrundingen, creating three large islands.{{cite web|url=http://www.cejournal.net/?p=4225|title=Is the world's fastest-moving glacier set to speed up even more?|publisher=Center for Environmental Journalism|date=October 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203051250/http://www.cejournal.net/?p=4225|archive-date=December 3, 2011}} But it is most likely that it would be a lake with one drain.

It is thought that before the last Ice Age, Greenland had mountainous edges and a lowland (and probably very dry) center which drained to the sea via one big river flowing out westwards, past where Disko Island is now.{{cite web|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/tag/arts-culture/|title=Arts and Culture Archives}}

There is concern about sea level rise caused by ice loss (melt and glaciers falling into the sea) on Greenland. Between 1997 and 2003 ice loss was {{convert|68|-|92|km3/a|cumi/a|0|abbr=on}}, compared to about {{convert|60|km3/a|cumi/a|abbr=on}} for 1993/4–1998/9. Half of the increase was from higher summer melting, with the rest caused by the movements of some glaciers exceeding the speeds needed to balance upstream snow accumulation.Krabill, W., et al., 2004, Greenland Ice Sheet: increased Coastal Thinning, Geophysical Research Letters, 31 L24402 A complete loss of ice on Greenland would cause a sea level rise of as much as {{convert|6.40|m|ft|sp=us}}.

Researchers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Kansas reported in February 2006 that the glaciers are melting twice as fast as they were five years prior. By 2005, Greenland was beginning to lose more ice volume than anyone expected – an annual loss of up to {{convert|52|cumi|km3|0|disp=or}} per year, according to more recent satellite gravity measurements released by JPL. The increased ice loss may be partially offset by increased snow accumulation due to increased precipitation.

Between 1991 and 2006, monitoring of the weather at one location (Swiss Camp) found that the average winter temperature had risen almost {{convert|10|F-change|1|lk=on}}.

Recently, Greenland's three largest outlet glaciers have started moving faster, satellite data show. These are the Jacobshavn Isbræ at Ilulissat (Jacobshavn) on the western edge of Greenland, and the Kangerdlugssuaq and Helheim glaciers on the eastern edge of Greenland. The two latter accelerated greatly during the years 2004–2005, but returned to pre-2004 velocities in 2006.{{cite journal|title=Rapid Changes in Ice Discharge from Greenland Outlet Glaciers|first1=Ian M.|last1=Howat|first2=Ian R.|last2=Joughin|first3=Ted A.|last3=Scambos|date=8 February 2007|journal=Science|volume=315|issue=5818|pages=1559–61|doi=10.1126/science.1138478|pmid=17289940|bibcode=2007Sci...315.1559H|citeseerx=10.1.1.395.1108|s2cid=27719836}} The accelerating ice flow has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in seismic activity. In March 2006, researchers at Harvard University and the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University reported that the glaciers now generate swarms of earthquakes up to magnitude 5.0.

The retreat of Greenland's ice is revealing islands that were thought to be part of the mainland. In September 2005 Dennis Schmitt discovered an island {{convert|400|mi|km|0}} north of the Arctic Circle in eastern Greenland which he named Uunartoq Qeqertaq, Inuit for "warming island".[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/16/science/earth/16gree.html?ex=1326603600&en=b018c85a1b03d90f&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss "The Warming of Greenland"], New York Times, January 16, 2007

In the Arctic, temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else in the world. Greenland is losing 200 billion tonnes of ice per year. Research suggests that this could increase the sea levels' rise by 30 centimeters by the end of the century. These projections have the possibility of changing as satellite data only dates back to 40 years ago. This means that researchers must view old photographs of glaciers and compare them to ones taken today to determine the future of Greenland's ice.[http://www.nature.com/news/180-000-forgotten-photos-reveal-the-future-of-greenland-s-ice-1.20335 "180,000 forgotten photos reveal the future of Greenland’s ice"], Nature, July 27, 2016

{{Weather box

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|location= Greenland

|Jan record high C =15.3

|Feb record high C =16.0

|Mar record high C =16.0

|Apr record high C =19.1

|May record high C =24.8

|Jun record high C =30.1

|Jul record high C =26.3

|Aug record high C =25.2

|Sep record high C =24.9

|Oct record high C =19.3

|Nov record high C =21.6

|Dec record high C =15.9

|Jan record low C =-66.1

|Feb record low C =-63.3

|Mar record low C =-64.8

|Apr record low C =-57.3

|May record low C =-49.0

|Jun record low C =-37.5

|Jul record low C =-33.0

|Aug record low C =-39.2

|Sep record low C =-46.0

|Oct record low C =-55.4

|Nov record low C =-60.0

|Dec record low C =-69.6

|source 1=

{{Citation|url=https://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/vejrekstremer-groenland/|access-date=28 July 2020|title=Weather Extremes Greenland|archive-date=9 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809091150/https://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/vejrekstremer-groenland/|url-status=dead}} (all record lows except for Jan, Mar, May, Dec)(Jan and Feb record highs), Meteo Climat (Mar-Dec highs)

|source 2=

{{Citation|url=https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.604003|access-date= 28 July 2020|title=Eismitte record low|year= 1935|doi= 10.1594/PANGAEA.604003|last1= Georgi|first1= Johannes|publisher= PANGAEA - Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science}} (March record low),

{{Citation|url=http://www.markvoganweather.com/2018/05/12/49c-at-summit-station-is-just-0-8c-shy-of-greenland-hemispheric-low-for-may/|title=May record low at Summit|access-date= 28 July 2020}} (May record low), {{Citation|url=https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/the-coldest-places-on-earth.html|access-date=28 July 2020|title=WUnderground}} (record low all time)

}}

{{See also|List of mountain ranges of Greenland}}The ice sheet covering Greenland varies significantly in elevation across the landmass, rising dramatically between the coastline at sea level and the East-Central interior, where elevations reach {{convert|3200|m|sp=us}}.{{Cite web|url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/5118/topography-of-greenland|title=Topography of Greenland|date=2004-12-26|website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-11-15}} The coastlines are rocky and predominantly barren with fjords.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/greenland/glland.htm|title=Greenland Landforms and Land Statistics|website=www.worldatlas.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-15}} Numerous small islands spread from the Central to Southern coastlines.

Greenland's mountain ranges are partially or completely buried by ice. The highest mountains are in the Watkins Range, which runs along the eastern coast. Greenland's highest mountain is Gunnbjorn Fjeld with a height of {{convert|3700|m|0|sp=us}}.

Scientists discovered an asteroid impact crater in the northwestern region of Greenland, buried underneath the ice sheet. At a size larger than Washington, D.C., it is the first impact crater found beneath one of Earth's ice sheets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/science/greenland-ice-crater.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220102/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/14/science/greenland-ice-crater.html |archive-date=2022-01-02 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Ice Age Asteroid Crater Discovered Beneath Greenland Glacier|work=The New York Times |date=14 November 2018 |access-date=2018-11-15|language=en |last1=Fleur |first1=Nicholas St }}{{cbignore}}

This is a list of the extreme points of Greenland, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

• Northernmost point — Kaffeklubben Island (83°40'N) – the northernmost permanent land in the world. There are also some shifting gravel bars that lie north of Kaffeklubben, the most northerly ever found being 83-42.
• Southernmost point — unnamed islet 2.3 km south of Cape Farewell, Egger Island (59°44'N)
• Westernmost point — Nordvestø, Carey Islands (73°10'W)
• Easternmost point — Nordostrundingen, Greenland (11°19'W)
• Highest point — Gunnbjørn Fjeld, {{convert|3694|m|sp=us}}

• Northernmost point — Cape Morris Jesup (83°39'N)
• Southernmost point — Peninsula near Tasiusaq, Kujalleq (59°58'26.4"N)
• Westernmost point — Cape Alexander (73°08'W)
• Easternmost point — Nordostrundingen, Greenland (11°19'W)
• Highest point — Gunnbjørn Fjeld, {{convert|3694|m|sp=us}}.

Greenland has 17 towns – settlements with more than 500 inhabitants. Nuuk is the largest town – and the capital – with roughly one third of the country's urban population. Sisimiut with approximately 5,500 inhabitants is the second largest town, while Ilulissat is number three with around 5,000 inhabitants.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Aasiaat (Egedesminde
• Ilulissat (Jacobshavn)
• Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresbysund)
• Kangaatsiaq
• Maniitsoq (Sukkertoppen)
• Nanortalik (Bjørnsted)
• Narsaq (Sletten)
• Nuuk (Godthåb)
• Paamiut (Frederikshåb)
• Qaanaaq (Thule)
• Qaqortoq (Julianehåb)
• Qasigiannguit (Christianshåb)
• Qeqertarsuaq (Godhavn)
• Sisimiut (Holstensborg)
• Tasiilaq (Oscarshavn)
• Upernavik
• Uummannaq

{{div col end}}

{{Main|Cartographic expeditions to Greenland}}

{{Gallery|mode=packed|height=140

|File:Greenland.A2003233.1340.250m.jpg|The fractal coastline of eastern Greenland, with its many fjords

|File:Greenland 42.74746W 71.57394N.jpg|An enlargeable satellite composite image of Greenland

|File:Sermeqkujadtlek.jpg|Sermeq Kujatdlek Glacier on Greenland's west coast

|File:Eastcoastgreenland1.jpg|Nunataks on Greenland's east coast

|File:Isbjørn på Grønland.jpg|A polar bear on Greenland's eastern coast

|File:Glaciers Flow into a Greenland Valley.jpg|Small glaciers spilling into a mostly dry valley in western Greenland

|File:Northwest Greenland Canyons.jpg|View of deep canyons, or fjords, along the coast of northwestern Greenland

|File:Mountains in southern Greenland.JPG|Mountains in southern Greenland, as seen from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet

}}

• List of mountain peaks of Greenland
• List of mountain ranges of Greenland
• Greenland's Grand Canyon
• Climate change adaptation in Greenland

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Geography of Greenland}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060115122851/http://www.geus.dk/program-areas/raw-materials-greenl-map/greenland/gr-map/kost_1-dk.htm www.geus.dk] Geological map of Greenland from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).
• [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/22/times-atlas-reviews-greenland-map "Times Atlas reviews Greenland map accuracy after climate change row"] – The Guardian, 22 September 2011

{{Greenland topics}}

{{Geography of North America}}

{{North America topic|Climate of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Greenland}}