Nuussuaq Peninsula

For other uses, see Nuussuaq (disambiguation).

Nuussuaq Peninsula

Location within Greenland

Nuussuaq Peninsula (old spelling: Nûgssuaq) is a large (180x48 km)^[1] peninsula in western Greenland.

Geography

Nuussuaq Peninsula seen from Uummannaq

The waters around the peninsula are that of Baffin Bay. To the south and southwest the peninsula is bounded by Disko Bay, an inlet of Baffin Bay. It is separated from Qeqertarsuaq Island by Sullorsuaq Strait which connects Disko Bay with Baffin Bay. To the northeast, it is bounded by the Uummannaq Fjord system.

The peninsula is mountainous, with the highest summit reaching 2,144 m.^[2] The spinal range splits in two to the northwest of the base of the peninsula, with the southern arm forming the coastal range, the central arm almost entirely glaciated, and continuing northwest the entire length of the peninsula. The two arms are dissected by a deep Kuussuaq Valley, partially filled in the center with Sarqap Tassersuaq, a glacial, emerald lake.^[2]

History

See also: Thule people

Archaeological excavations in Qilakitsoq on the southwestern shore revealed the existence of an ancient Arctic culture later named the Saqqaq culture that inhabited the area of west-central Greenland between 2500 BCE and 800 BCE.^[3]

Settlements

The peninsula is administered as part of the Qaasuitsup municipality. The main settlements are Qaarsut and Niaqornat on the northeastern shore, Saqqaq on the southwestern shore, at the foot of the Livets Top mountain (1,150 m)^[4], and Qeqertaq on a small island just off the southern shore, at the base of the peninsula.

Photographs

• 

  Qilertiinguit Kangilequtaa (2070m)^[2] seen from Uummannaq across the main arm of Uummannaq Fjord

• 

  Chasm couloir above the northeastern shore. Seen from Uummannaq.

• 

  Aerial view: Nunavik and the blanket glacier covering a large part of the northern chain of the central mountain range, north of Auvarrssuaq valley.

• 

  Aerial view of Sarqap Tassersuaq, the emerald lake in the central valley

References

1. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica. "Nuussuaq". http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/667503/Nuussuaq. Retrieved 2009-02-12. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Nuussuaq, Saga Map, Tage Schjøtt, 1992
3. ^ http://www.natmus.dk/sw18632.asp The Greenland Research Centre at the National Museum of Denmark
4. ^ O'Carroll, Etain (2005). Greenland and the Arctic. Lonely Planet. pp. 180. ISBN 1-74059-095-3. 

External links

• Volcanic development in the Nuussuaq Basin, West Greenland

Coordinates: 70°25′N 52°30′W / 70.417°N 52.5°W / 70.417; -52.5