A huge iceberg has drifted close to a village in western Greenland, prompting a partial evacuation in case it splits and the resulting wave swamps homes. Residents of Innaarsuit fear the 330-feet high iceberg will break up and cause a tsunami
The iceberg is looming over houses on a promontory in the Innaarsuit village but is grounded and did not move overnight, local media say. 169 residents living nearest the iceberg have been moved to higher ground.
“We fear the iceberg could calve [break apart] and send a flood towards the village,” said Lina Davidsen of Greenland police.
Susanne Eliassen, a member of Innaarsuit’s council, said it was not unusual for large icebergs to be seen close to the community. The village’s power station and fuel tanks are close to the shore, she said.
Some experts have warned that extreme iceberg events risk becoming more frequent because of climate change which in turn, increases the risk from tsunamis. Last summer, four people died after waves swamped houses in north-western Greenland after an earthquake.
