Natural Hazards

Rockfalls (also called rockslides) are fragments of rock that detach from steep cliff faces (usually > 45 degrees) and move downslope by sliding, toppling, bouncing or rolling in steep, mountainous terrain. If there is water at the base of the mountain, large tsunami waves can be generated as the rocks hit the water. In Greenland, spring melting and summer permafrost thawing can cause rock slopes to become unstable and fail, as can heavy rain, which increases water pressure in rock cracks. Geological weaknesses in rocks can also make mountain walls unstable.

Keep a lookout for large blocks, boulders and debris clouds moving rapidly downslope and listen carefully for loud noises of rocks and material falling. Look out for signs of recent rockfall activity, especially fresh rockfall tracks on mountainsides that appear lighter than surrounding rock where vegetation has been destroyed, with rock material deposits at the foot of cliffs (called talus slopes).

Take care when hiking: it is always best to be over-cautious, and never underestimate how dangerous a steep, rocky path can be! Choose safe, well-mapped routes and stick to marked trails where possible. Avoid walking directly beneath steep, shear face cliffs. If you see or hear any sign of recent rockfall activity, stay vigilant and move away from the area. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, especially recent periods of rain and large air temperature fluctuations which could destabilise cliffs and cause rockfalls.

• In June 2017, a landslide occurred in Karrat fjord, west Greenland, causing a tsunami with wave heights over 1 metre, sending water up to 10 metres up the shoreline that flooded the village Nuugaatsiaq 30 km away, killing four people and destroying 11 houses.
• In November 2000, a large rock avalanche triggered large tsunami waves that hit the village of Saqqaq in west Greenland, destroying fishing boats and damage to the coal-mining town Qullissat.

How to travel safely in Greenland: steep, slippery rocks and rockslides [Visit Greenland]

Tsunami-generating rock fall and landslide on the south coast of Nuussuaq, central West Greenland

Avalanches are rapid flows of snow and ice masses down a mountainside. They are serious natural hazards and can cause significant damage to human life and infrastructure like settlements and roads. The three trigger factors are: (1) slope (over 30 degrees), (2) snowpack conditions (when the snowpack becomes unstable) and (3) a trigger (natural or by human activity). Most avalanches involving people are triggered by human activity, such as skiing, snowshoeing or snow scootering.

Any visible recent avalanche activity. Recent heavy snowfall, rain, strong winds or sudden rise in air temperature in the past 48 hours. Cohesive new snow that breaks apart or is poorly bonded to the old snow. Cracks around your feet or skis. Wind-drifted snow, often behind ridges and gullies. Hollow or thumping ‘Whoumpf!’ sounds as you walk can indicate weak layers in the snow and possible slab release.

It is important to be aware of the potential dangers in avalanche-prone terrain. We recommend you always go with a qualified guide if you plan to go into avalanche terrain.

Avalanche checklist:
❆ Avoid steep (over 30 degrees) slopes, especially with fresh snow and convex slopes.
❆ Stay to the windward side of ridges where possible.
❆ Avoid winter activities (hiking, skiing, snowscootering, etc) after a winter storm.
❆ If in a group, go one at a time and observe the progress of the person in front.
❆ It is strongly advised to hire a local guide with knowledge of avalanche-prone areas in the backcountry.

In February 2022 a snowscooter driver was buried in an avalanche for 20 minutes in Sisimiut, he was dug free by his fellow snowscooter colleagues. Avalanche incidents occur around Nuuk. In March 2021, Nuuk snowscooter club/search and rescue reported a woman was caught in an avalanche and dug herself free after 40 minutes (Woman was caught in an avalanche at Nuuk | KNR). In January 2017, a man was killed in an avalanche in Kobbefjord, Nuuk.

Unlike other Arctic countries and elsewhere around the world, Greenland has no avalanche monitoring or forecast service and few reported observations of avalanches exist.

Avalanche types & how to recognise them: https://www.varsom.no/en/avalanche-bulletins/avalanche-problems

Nuuk snowscooter club/Search and Rescue avalanche risk updates: https://www.facebook.com/qamutitsar/.

A wildfire is an unplanned and uncontrolled fire burning in a natural vegetated area. Higher-than-usual summer temperatures, dry ground and strong winds can cause wildfires to spread rapidly and quickly burn out of control.

Check weather forecasts and recent periods of dry weather, which dries out vegetation and increases the risk of wildfires. Smoke from burning peat and vegetation lingers in the air and is irritating to the eyes and throat, has a strong smell and can be visually disorientating. If you discover a new wildfire do not get closer but instead call the local police or 112.

If you are hiking or camping in the backcountry, do not build light bonfires, grills, or barbecues. Never discard cigarette butts, ashes or matches directly on the ground. Carry out what you carry in, and take home all of your rubbish to dispose of once you get home – do not burn refuse waste outside. Keep fire protection in summer cabins and huts, like fire extinguishers. Take extreme care when handling equipment which could spark and set alight dry ground, like power tools, candles and heaters. If you do come across fire, be extremely careful around open flames.

Although wildfires are quite rare in Greenland, they have occurred in west Greenland where peaty soil has dried out.

• In August 2017, a large wildfire started in mossy wetlands near Sisimiut in west Greenland near a hut on the Arctic Circle trail. It was likely started accidentally by a hiker. Unusually warm, dry weather helped start the fire. The blaze persisted for two weeks.
• After record-breaking summer temperatures, the summer of 2019 saw over 100 wildfires across the Arctic in Greenland, Alaska, Siberia and Canada.

Another Fire in Greenland (nasa.gov)

Arctic wildfires: How bad are they and what caused them? – BBC News

‘Unusual’ Greenland wildfires linked to peat – BBC News

Weather are events and conditions that occur in our atmosphere that we experience day to day on earth. These events change on a multitude of time scales ranging from minutes to weeks. Different regions of the globe have different patterns of weather and these are affected by their location on the globe and the season. Over time we begin to recognise typical weather conditions in the places we live, for example, which months to expect snowfall in and when storms are likely to occur. When traveling to new places, we experience new weather regimes that we are not accustomed or familiar with. This presents new challenges when knowing how to prepare for going out into nature and knowing what to expect. Weather in Greenland varies considerably over the entire country. As Greenland has a distinctive Geography with its massive ice sheet and fjord systems, it also has an equally unique weather system that can vary over short time scales and short distances.  This variability makes predicting the weather in Greenland very difficult. The sheer scale and remoteness of Greenland means that it is difficult to capture the variability and range of conditions as discrete weather observations. As a result the weather forecasts should always be viewed with caution. The forecasts are often better in populated regions along the coast, where the majority of the weather stations are located. Even if the weather forecast appears “good”, one should always be prepared for the worst. Local inhabitants are much more accustomed and skilled at “reading” the subtle signs of changes in weather so it is a good idea to ask locals what they think the weather is likely to do, but remember that even they get it wrong sometimes and get caught out.

Looking for warning signs in weather can be challenging in a location unfamiliar to you . Some more familiar warning signs however can be transferable, for example looming dark clouds can signify unstable weather ahead. Other local signs can be fog that rolls in. The time of day and the conditions throughout the day can also lead to some localised patterns such as katabatic winds. These are strong winds that flow off the ice sheet towards the coast, often occurring in the afternoon on sunny days. These should be taken into account if you are in a boat or hiking in these areas, as you can expect waves and cold winds that you should be prepared for with the correct clothing and equipment. Wind is often underestimated and difficult to predict in forecasts and can change conditions considerably. This is especially the case in the winter months where wind chill (see link below for wind chill chart) plays a huge role in how cold it feels, and subsequently how much and what type of additional clothing and equipment you may need to take with you on a trip.

The key to avoiding bad weather is to be flexible and plan well. Greenland is a raw country with the lowest global population density, so it is often hard to get help if you are stuck in bad weather. By being flexible, you are able to plan your trips for more favourable weather conditions and enjoy the Greenlandic nature to the full. The weather conditions in Greenland can change rapidly, so it can quickly become very uncomfortable and dangerous if you are cold or wet and a long way from the next warm shelter. Take additional warm layers and clothing with you, and have an alternative plan (”Plan B”) if conditions suddenly change.

• The coldest recorded temperature in Greenland was -69.9℃ and the hottest recorded temperature was 25.9℃ (Greenland statistics).
• Piteraq are strong katabatic wind events that occur in Greenland, and are particularly prevalent in Tasiilaq, east Greenland. One of the worst piteraq ever recorded in Greenland occurred in the winter of 1970 in Tasiilaq, which experienced winds of 324 km/hr winds and -20 degree temperatures. The storm caused substantial damage in the settlement.

Wind chill chart

Forecasts
DMI: https://www.dmi.dk/

Windy: https://www.windy.com/

Yr: https://www.yr.no/en