A frosty threat loomed over Greenland
World
Near the small village of Inaarsuit in Greenland, a million-ton ice block is threatening to cause a devastating tsunami if it suddenly splits. The authorities issued a warning and began evacuating coastal areas.
A tiny fishing village with a population of just over a hundred people was threatened by a natural disaster. Not far from the shore, a giant iceberg is stuck, which can collapse at any moment and cause a deadly wave.
Satellite images show that the above-water part of the iceberg reaches a height of 100 meters, while the underwater part can reach depths of up to 400 meters. The weight of the ice mass is estimated at millions of tons. Presumably, it broke off from the Jakobshavn glacier - one of the most unstable in the region.
The main threat is that the iceberg is not moving - it has been in place for about a week. This unusual behavior increases the risk of a rock fragment suddenly breaking apart. If large pieces of ice collapse into the water, it can cause an iceberg tsunami - a wave up to 10 meters high that can wash away houses on the coast.
Local authorities have already closed the fish factory and evacuated some of the population. Residents are strongly advised not to approach the shore from either land or sea.
Scientists consider several possible scenarios:
The gradual melting of the iceberg, which may take weeks.
A sudden destruction or upheaval that can lead to large-scale consequences.
An attempt to pull off a boulder, but this is expensive and practically impossible technically.
Similar situations are becoming more frequent in Greenland - global warming is to blame. Glaciers are melting rapidly, and large icebergs are increasingly found near populated areas.
The Inaarsuite incident is an alarming signal and reminder: nature remains stronger than humans, and climate change requires urgent action.
Satellite images show that the above-water part of the iceberg reaches a height of 100 meters, while the underwater part can reach depths of up to 400 meters. The weight of the ice mass is estimated at millions of tons. Presumably, it broke off from the Jakobshavn glacier - one of the most unstable in the region.
The main threat is that the iceberg is not moving - it has been in place for about a week. This unusual behavior increases the risk of a rock fragment suddenly breaking apart. If large pieces of ice collapse into the water, it can cause an iceberg tsunami - a wave up to 10 meters high that can wash away houses on the coast.
Local authorities have already closed the fish factory and evacuated some of the population. Residents are strongly advised not to approach the shore from either land or sea.
Scientists consider several possible scenarios:
The gradual melting of the iceberg, which may take weeks.
A sudden destruction or upheaval that can lead to large-scale consequences.
An attempt to pull off a boulder, but this is expensive and practically impossible technically.
Similar situations are becoming more frequent in Greenland - global warming is to blame. Glaciers are melting rapidly, and large icebergs are increasingly found near populated areas.
The Inaarsuite incident is an alarming signal and reminder: nature remains stronger than humans, and climate change requires urgent action.
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