The sheer quantity of ice sent into the sea by the glaciers is amazing. A bit south of Tasiilaq you can see out into the Arctic Ocean, which is full of icebergs. The picture below was shot in the evening from south of town, and the next day I went out on an iceberg cruise with a handful of others from the hotel.
The weather on the day I took the iceberg cruise could be called so-so at best: it was cold, foggy, and cloudy, but at least it didn't rain. On the plus side, the low-lying clouds offered an air of mystery to the scenery. Below, we're cruising in Kong Oscars Havn, heading out into the open Arctic Ocean.
Out into the open sea. At center, a lonely seagull floats among the icebergs.
An iceberg big as a small island looms in the distance, with a small 'berg in the foreground.
There is an old Inuit legend saying that when an iceberg in the shape of a loon appears, a great man will have arrived from afar to take his rightful place as King of Greenland. Well, not really, but in any case I was very surprised by this iceberg!
Returning to Kong Oscars Havn, clouds and more icebergs complement the rugged shore.
An iceberg with a waterfall! Sunlight melts the top of icebergs, which causes the runoff water which feeds this miniature waterfall. Sea water melts an iceberg from below, causing the ice above the water to hang over like a shelf. As the iceberg slowly rocks in the waves, this shelf periodically slams down against the top of the water, sounding like a violent wave crash.
Locals cruising around on their boats. The Greenlanders must have good reflexes to be cruising at high speed in these waters!
The day of the iceberg cruise was my last full day in the Ammassalik area. The next day I flew out by helicopter to Kulusuk. Here's one last picture of Greenland's iceberg-filled waters, taken from the helicopter to Kulusuk:
Well, now we say farewell to Greenland, a place that is geologically ancient, to a place that is geologically in its infancy: Northeast Iceland!
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All content copyright 1999 by Christopher A. Flaat.