Citizens of Greenland are currently keeping a close eye on a glacier which floats off of the country’s northwestern coast, as fears abound that the eleven-million-ton iceberg could cause a catastrophic tsunami.
Residents of Innaarsuit, a town on the northwestern coast of Greenland, worry that a tsunami could result from a large chunk of the iceberg breaking off. According to a Danish meteorologist, the iceberg will definitely be affected by the weather.
Warm weather could cause a portion of the mountain of ice, which stands 650 feet wide and 300 feet tall above water, to break off. This would lead to a massive wave which would ultimately engulf Innaarsuit. Alternatively, if a powerful wind blows in a specific direction, the iceberg could crash into the Baffin Bay.
Although the iceberg directly threatens residents’ lives, citizens of Innaarsuit also fear potential damage to the community’s power plant. The power plant is located near the ocean, and a tsunami could destroy it.
Emergency responders and a Danish Royal Navy ship are currently standing by.
SOME GREENLAND RESIDENTS MOVE TO THE INLAND
As of now, thirty-three of Innaarsuit’s residents have moved to a safer location. The chair of Innaarsuit’s local council, Karl Petersen, commented:
“There are 180 inhabitants, and we are very concerned and are afraid.”
However, most of the residents are prepared for a sudden evacuation.
Greenland was recently hit by a tsunami, in mid-2017. Last June, in the village of Nuugaatsiaq, an earthquake triggered a tsunami which took four lives and ruined eleven homes.
Meteorologists, officials, and residents are keeping a close eye on the iceberg and the weather.
Featured Image via/ NPR
