Disko

Native name: Qeqertarsuaq
Qeqertarsuaq town on Disko Island
Disko Island Disko Island (Greenland)
Geography
Location	Baffin Bay
Coordinates	69°45′N 53°30′W / 69.750°N 53.500°W / 69.750; -53.500Coordinates: 69°45′N 53°30′W / 69.750°N 53.500°W / 69.750; -53.500
Area	8,578 km2 (3,312 sq mi)
Length	160 km (99 mi)
Highest elevation	1,919 m (6,296 ft)
Country
Greenland
Municipality	Qaasuitsup
Demographics
Population	1100
Ethnic groups	Inuit

Disko Island (Greenlandic: Qeqertarsuaq, Danish: Disko øer) is a large island in Baffin Bay, off the west coast of Greenland. It has an area of 8,578 km² (3,312.0 sq mi),^[1] making it the second largest island of Greenland (after the main island of Greenland) and one of the 100 largest islands in the world. The name Qeqertarsuaq means The Large Island (from qeqertaq = island).

Geography [edit]

The island has a length of about 160 km (99.4 mi), rising to an average height of 975 m (3,198.8 ft), peaking at 1,919 m (6,295.9 ft). The port of Qeqertarsuaq (named after the island, and also known as Godhavn) lies on its southern coast.

The island is separated from Nuussuaq Peninsula in the northeast by the Sullorsuaq Strait. To the south of the island lies Disko Bay, an inlet bay of Baffin Island.^[2]

History [edit]

Eric the Red paid the first recorded visit to Disko Island at some time between 982 and 985 and it may have been used as a base for summer hunting and fishing by Viking colonists.^{[citation needed]}

Geology [edit]

Native iron from Disko Island (size: 4.9 x 2.9 x 1.5 cm)

Mineral deposits, fossil finds and geological formations have added to the interest in the area. One of the interesting geological features is the native iron found at the island. A 22 ton lump of a mixture of iron and iron carbide (cohenite) has been found. There are only few places on earth where native iron can be found which is not of meteoric origin.^[3][4]

There are numerous hot springs on the island. The microscopic animal Limnognathia, the only known member of its phylum, was discovered in these springs.

References [edit]