This site is located in the Danish territory on the west coast of Greenland, approximately 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, and it has a core protection area of 4,024 km2. Ilulissat Ice Bay is the end of the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, which is one of the few glaciers originating in the Greenland ice cap that reaches the ocean. The Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier is also one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world (19 m/day). It releases ice into the ocean at a rate of 35 km3 per year, which is equivalent to 10% of Greenland’s ice every year; this is more than any glacier outside of Antarctica. The protected area contains large ice sheets and rapidly moving glaciers. The icebergs make loud noises when they move, which is a fascinating natural phenomenon that attracts tourists.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsEditor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2020). Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1146
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_1146
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2537-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2538-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences