GoKawiilThe massive slab of ice broke off from one of Greenland's largest glaciers and has been drifting away since.
Greenland’s Wayward Ice Island Just Smashed Into Joe Island—and Survived
Why This Matters
A huge ice island that calved from one of Greenland's largest glaciers has collided with Joe Island and stayed intact, a rare event scientists can now track in near real time via satellite. Such observations matter because calving and drifting ice affect shipping lanes, offshore infrastructure and models of how fast Greenland is losing ice in a warming climate.
Key Takeaways
- A massive slab broke off a major Greenland glacier and has been drifting since.
- The ice island struck Joe Island but survived the impact largely intact.
- Tracking such drifting ice informs climate models, shipping risk and sea-level projections.
Worth a Look
National Geographic World Wall Map — Following a drifting ice island as it collides with tiny Arctic outposts like Joe Island is a lot more fun when you can actually find them. This large National Geographic wall map puts Greenland, its glaciers, and the surrounding Arctic waters right in front of you. It's a great way to turn a news story into a geography lesson for the whole household.
See National Geographic World Wall Map on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Get alerts for these topics