Photos

Kangerdluk means fjord and the suffix suaq means great, hence, Kangerlussuaq, the great fjord. At 175 km in length, the Kangerlussuaq is one of the world’s longest fjords. The Danes call it Sondre Stromfjord.

Generally speaking, fjords are left by the retreat of a glacier that has carved a U-shaped valley to below the sea level. The glaciers are still carving Kangerlussuaq fjord.

In the past few years, the glaciers of Greenland have been receding. Normally icebergs are calved from the feet of these glaciers all summer long. This year there are few icebergs to be seen. there are many opinions as to the cause and implications of these changes.

As we passed Kangingussa, just south of the Arctic Circle, we sped down the calm waters of the fjord with the ebb tide, making 18 knots with the current.

The photo was taken in the last light of the day. NeatImage removed some of the noise. Curves used to bring back some contrast.

Google Earth Link for satellite image of the location.