Greenland's newfound coastlines reveal hidden islands and resources
Greenland surprises scientists: its coastline has expanded over two decades. This is a result of glacier melting, which has revealed new areas. Previously unknown islands have also emerged from the water.
Greenland, the largest island in the world, has gained approximately 1,000 miles of new coastline over the past 20 years, claim researchers who published their analysis in the scientific journal "Nature Climate Change". This change is due to the receding glaciers, uncovering areas that were previously hidden under the ice. This process, known as deglaciation, results from climate warming.
This is due to glacier retreat
An international team of researchers, using satellite data, analyzed changes in glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. "Greenland contains the largest average glacier retreat area in the Arctic. The glacier with the longest new coastline, Zachariae Isstrom in northeast Greenland, is responsible for more than 81 km of new coastline, which is more than twice as much as any other glacier in the hemisphere," writes "Nature Climate Change."
Between 2000 and 2020, roughly 1,500 miles of new coastlines were revealed, 66 per cent of which is in Greenland. In addition to new coastal areas, the retreat of glaciers has uncovered 35 new islands larger than 0.2 square miles, 29 of which are located in Greenland.
The study, which also involved Polish scientists, reminds us that climate change will continue to affect our planet, transforming its landscape and resources. Glacier melting reveals regions of the Arctic that are potentially rich in resources such as oil, gas, and minerals.
Although Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, it remains at the centre of global power interests, which see potential in exploiting these new resources. What is a threat to some may present development opportunities for others.
