In recent years, the atonomous Danish territory Greenland has been the focus of headlines. This was most evident in 2019, when Donald Trump stated that he wanted it to be bought.
Scientists discovered the island north of Greenland, which is thought to be the northernmost landmassa in the world. It could soon be swallowed by seawaters.
Researchers discovered the landmass during an expedition in July. They initially believed they had reached Oodaaq which was the northernmost island of the planet.
"We were told that my GPS had made an error which led us to believe we were on Oodaaq island," stated Morten Rasch, head of the mission at Copenhagen University's Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management.
He said, "In fact, we had discovered an island further north. A discovery that just slightly expands Denmark's kingdom."
Oodaaq lies approximately 700 km (435 miles) south the North Pole. The new island, however, is located 780m (2,560 feet north) of Oodaaq.
Copenhagen University released a statement late Friday stating that the "yet to be named island is...the northernmost point in Greenland, and one of the northerly points on Earth".
It is located between 30-60 meters above the sea level. Rasch stated that it could be a temporary islet.
"No one knows for how long it will last." It could be destroyed by a new powerful storm.
In recent years, Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, has been the focus of headlines. This was most notable in 2019, when Donald Trump stated that he would like to purchase the Arctic territory.
The proposal, which was described by the Danish government as "absurd", caused diplomatic turmoil but also signaled renewed American interest for the region.
It has been also hard hit by climate change, as warmer temperatures have melted glaciers and caused alarming sea level rise.
Learn more about Greenland
2021 AFP
