Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq
Søndre Strømfjord | |
|---|---|
Residential houses East of Kangerlussuaq Airport | |
Kangerlussuaq Location within Greenland | |
| Coordinates: 67°00′31″N 50°41′21″W / 67.00861°N 50.68917°W | |
| State | Kingdom of Denmark |
| Constituent country | Greenland |
| Municipality | Qeqqata |
| Built as military base | 1941 |
| Transitioned to settlement | 1992 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Albrecht Kreutzmann |
| Population (2025) | |
• Total | 399[1] |
| Time zone | UTC−02:00 (Western Greenland Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−01:00 (Western Greenland Summer Time) |
| Postal code | 3910 |
Kangerlussuaq (Greenlandic pronunciation: [kaˌŋɜˈɬːusːuɑq]; lit. 'Big Fjord'; Danish: Søndre Strømfjord) is a settlement in western Greenland in the Qeqqata municipality[3] located at the head of the fjord of the same name. It was Greenland's main air transport hub and the site of Greenland's largest commercial airport until the new airport opened at Nuuk in November 2024. The airport dates from American settlement during and after World War II, when the site was known as Bluie West-8 and then Sondrestrom Air Base.
The Kangerlussuaq area is also home to Greenland's most diverse terrestrial fauna, including muskoxen, caribou, and gyrfalcons. The settlement's economy and population of 399[1] is almost entirely reliant on the airport and tourist industry. It is the only town in Greenland which is not located on the proper ocean, being situated at the end of a 160 km long fjord, although it still has a coastline on the ocean.[4]
Geography
Kangerlussuaq occupies an alluvial flatland on the far end of the 190 km long[5] Kangerlussuaq Fjord, straddling both sides of the Qinnguata Kuussua river estuary. On the East of Kangerlussuaq is a confluence of the two major regional rivers, the Qinnguata Kuussua and Akuliarusiarsuup Kuua. The valley of the latter forms large quicksand plains. Both rivers originate from the Russell Glacier. The edge of the glacier is easily accessible and is a major tourist attraction from the town, as is the edge of the ice sheet in the Isunngua highlands to its northeast.[6]
Highlands such as Tarajornitsut bound Kangerlussuaq from the north and south. To the southeast behind lake Tasersuatsiaq, which provides fresh water to the town,[7] is the vast highland of Ammalortup Nunaa,[6] the original region artificially populated with 27 muskoxen.[8]
The town is situated about 50 kilometers (31 mi) north of the Arctic Circle, and is the starting point for the Arctic Circle Trail.
History
Kangerlussuaq was founded at the east end of Kangerlussuaq fjord as Bluie West-8 on 7 October 1941, under the supervision of Colonel Bernt Balchen of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Following the fall of Denmark to Germany in World War II, US forces assumed security for Greenland, building several bases including Bluie West-1 to the south in Narsarsuaq and Bluie West-8 at the Kangerlussuaq fjord.
The base briefly came under Danish control in 1950, but following mounting concerns about the Cold War threat, a new agreement saw the United States reopen Bluie West-8 under the name of Sondrestrom Air Base on 27 April 1951.
It served as one of the Distant Early Warning Line bases and a supply station for similar early warning facilities. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the usefulness of the base was greatly diminished and the last U.S. Air Force personnel left the base on 30 September 1992. The base subsequently came under Greenlandic Home Rule and was renamed using the Kalaallisut dialect of the West Greenland Inuit.
This site and Bluie West-1 in Narsarsuaq remain Greenland's best-equipped airports. Almost all of the permanent structures in the town were built during the American occupation of the site.
Climate
The climate in Kangerlussuaq is subarctic (Köppen Dfc), bordering on tundra climate (Köppen ET) and unusually for somewhere this far north (in the Arctic Circle), a cold-semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with the area receiving very little rainfall.[9]
| Climate data for Kangerlussuaq (south-west), elevation: 50 m, 1991–2020 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 12.3 (54.1) |
13.9 (57.0) |
14.4 (57.9) |
17.8 (64.0) |
22.4 (72.3) |
25.2 (77.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
22.9 (73.2) |
21.1 (70.0) |
17.1 (62.8) |
15.8 (60.4) |
11.9 (53.4) |
26.6 (79.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −13.5 (7.7) |
−14.8 (5.4) |
−10.8 (12.6) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
8.4 (47.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.0 (57.2) |
7.7 (45.9) |
−0.8 (30.6) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
0.3 (32.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −18.5 (−1.3) |
−19.8 (−3.6) |
−16.6 (2.1) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
3.6 (38.5) |
10.0 (50.0) |
11.2 (52.2) |
8.7 (47.7) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
−11.3 (11.7) |
−15.2 (4.6) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −23.3 (−9.9) |
−24.9 (−12.8) |
−22.2 (−8.0) |
−11.6 (11.1) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
4.2 (39.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
−1.0 (30.2) |
−8.7 (16.3) |
−15.7 (3.7) |
−19.9 (−3.8) |
−9.7 (14.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −47.2 (−53.0) |
−46.8 (−52.2) |
−45.4 (−49.7) |
−34.4 (−29.9) |
−21.8 (−7.2) |
−4.7 (23.5) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−15.4 (4.3) |
−29.7 (−21.5) |
−36.3 (−33.3) |
−45.5 (−49.9) |
−47.2 (−53.0) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 7.9 (0.31) |
6.1 (0.24) |
5.2 (0.20) |
7.6 (0.30) |
10.9 (0.43) |
13.4 (0.53) |
27.6 (1.09) |
31.7 (1.25) |
22.7 (0.89) |
13.1 (0.52) |
11.7 (0.46) |
9.8 (0.39) |
167.7 (6.61) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.9 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 5.2 | 6.9 | 5.2 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 43.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70.2 | 68.1 | 66.5 | 64.1 | 57.7 | 55.1 | 57.2 | 64.8 | 67.3 | 72.9 | 72.6 | 71.4 | 65.7 |
| Source 1: Danish Meteorological Institute[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: NOAA[12] | |||||||||||||
In July 2012 a gust of warm air resulted in glacier meltwater which wiped out the bridge over the Watson River next to the town.[13][14][15]
Population
The population of Kangerlussuaq dropped significantly after the liquidation of the Sondrestrom Air Base. Since then it has increased by more than 80%, although it has begun dropping again in recent years.[1]
As a result of the transition of the closure of Air Greenland's hub at Kangerlussuaq, the population plummeted by 30% from 564 to 399 inhabitants from 2024 to 2025.[16][1]
Transport
Air
Kangerlussuaq Airport long served as Greenland's most important transport hub, as it was the only civilian airport in Greenland large enough to support large long-range airplanes such as Airbus A330s (used by Air Greenland). Air Greenland transitioned its hub to Nuuk Airport in November 2024, following its reconstruction and expansion.[17]
After the loss of its hub status, it continues to serve domestic flights to Nuuk, Ilulissat and Sisimiut, as well as a seasonal flight to Copenhagen to cater to the tourism industry. It also continues to be a vital diversion airport and serves ferry flights.
Sea
Kangerlussuaq Fjord is navigable in its entire length. There is a seaport at Kangerlussuaq, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of the town. It is fairly shallow and suitable for small ships only, served only twice per year in summer by Royal Arctic Line.[18][19] It is also served annually by an oil tanker and the petroleum products are carried by pipeline to the airport.[20]
Cruise ships, such as Norway's Hurtigruten,[21] navigate the fjord and anchor outside the port. They go to Kangerlussuaq mainly to exchange passengers by air, but this role is now diminished following the reduction in flights.
Plans were approved in 2018 to build a new deep port, around 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the present one, along with an access road.[22]
Road
The existing road network in Kangerlussuaq was built by the U.S. military when it was Sondrestrom Air Base, linking communication sites, the port and the Sondrestrom Upper Atmospheric Research Facility. Kangerlussuaq has the largest extra-urban road network of any settlement in Greenland (not counting streets inside settlements).
In 1999, Nausta A/S built a 35 km-long road from Kangerlussuaq through Isunngua, on behalf of Volkswagen to the edge of the Greenland ice sheet, where they conducted winter car testing. Volkswagen left the site in 2005 and the road was returned to the municipality and is now used for tourism and research purposes.
These roads in and around Kangerlussuaq total approximately 70 km (43 mi), thereof 15 km (10 mi) paved with asphalt.[23]
ATV track to Sisimiut
A 130 kilometre-long (80 mi) track between the towns of Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq, traversable by all-terrain vehicles, UTVs and off-road vehicles (Unimog-type vehicles)[24] was opened in 2025.[25] It is dubbed the 'Arctic Circle Track', and follows a similar route to the Arctic Circle Trail. The total distance from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut is 153 km (including existing roads to the port).
It is the first land based connection between two towns in Greenland, outside of snowmobile and dog-sled transport in winter. The track is very rudimentary in construction and was built in 2021-2025, at a cost of 25 million DKK (€3M).[26][27]
It is envisioned that this track will be upgraded in the future to a proper gravel road, but at an estimated cost of 500 million Danish krone (€67M), no timeline is in place.[28]
Scientific research
From 1982 to 2018, an ionospheric and atmospheric research facility known as the Sondrestrom Upper Atmospheric Research Facility was situated at about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) west of Kangerlussuaq. It was commonly known as Kellyville. It was operated by SRI International for the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Danish Meteorological Institute. The facility was host to more than 20 instruments, the majority of which provide unique and complementary information about the arctic upper atmosphere. The centerpiece instrument of the facility was an L band incoherent scatter (IS) radar with a 32-metre (105 ft) fully steerable antenna. It was transported from Alaska to Kangerlussuaq in 1983.[29]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Population by Localities". Statistical Greenland. Archived from the original on 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2020-07-19.
- ^ Qeqqata Municipality (in Danish)
- ^ "Qeqqata Kommunia > Om Kommunen > by og Bygder > Kangerlussuaq". Archived from the original on 2012-05-01. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
- ^ "51 Interesting Greenland Facts to Inspire Your Visit". www.secretatlas.com. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica. "Kangerlussuaq". Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ a b Vandrekort Vestgrønland: Kangerlussuaq (Map) (1996 ed.). Cartography by Compukort, Denmark. Greenland Tourism a/s.
- ^ "International Polar Year". Archived from the original on 2007-07-14.
- ^ O'Carroll, Etain (2005). Greenland and the Arctic. Lonely Planet. p. 166. ISBN 1-74059-095-3.
- ^ allmetsat. "Climate : Kangerlussuaq, Kangerlussuaq Airport, Greenland". Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ "Klimanormaler Grønland". DMI (in Danish). Retrieved 2023-02-28.
- ^ "Climatological Standard Normals 1991-2020 Greenland" (PDF). DMI. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ^ "NOAA".
- ^ Goldenberg, Suzanne (25 July 2012). "Meltwater from Greenland glacier wipes out key crossing". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ "Flooding in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland : Image of the Day". Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 2016-09-07.
- ^ Greenland's ice sheet is melting fast – I'm not surprised. The ice sheet has been living on borrowed time for many years, with dire consequences 26 July 2012
- ^ Hviid, Hanna (2025-05-07). "Nye tal: Kangerlussuaq lider under stor fraflytning". www.sermitsiaq.ag (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Nuuk Airport Opens Ahead Of Air Greenland, United, SAS Route Launches". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ "Qeqqata Kommunia – Kangerlussuaq". Archived from the original on 2013-09-03. (Danish)
- ^ "Sejlplaner - Royal Arctic Line". www.ral.dk. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ redaktionen (2017-04-21). "Tyske skibe skal levere brændstof til Grønland". www.sermitsiaq.ag (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Hurtigruten.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2014-02-11. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ^ "VVM-godkendelse af anlægsprojektet "Ny havn og vej ved Kangerlussuaq"" (PDF). Naalakkersuisut. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
- ^ d.menezes (2020-11-30). "The Arctic Circle Road: The Road to Freedom?". The Polar Connection. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Sommerkørsel ved Kangerlussuaq". Qeqqata Kommunia. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ Reimer-Johansen, Tôrtia (2025-07-18). "Arctic Circle Track åbnes officielt". www.sermitsiaq.ag (in Danish). Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "Historisk vejprojekt mellem Sisimiut og Kangerlussuaq undervejs" [Historic road project between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq ongoing] (in Danish). Bygge- & Anlægsavisen. 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2022-04-10.
- ^ ATV-sporet mellem Kangerlussuaq og Sisimiut er færdig
- ^ McGwin, Kevin (2021-09-27). "The benefits of a proposed new Greenland road justify its costs — and then some — an outside review finds". ArcticToday. Retrieved 2025-08-11.
- ^ "About Sondrestrom". Sondrestrom Research Facility. SRI International. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
External links
- Media related to Kangerlussuaq at Wikimedia Commons
- Kangerlussuaq travel guide from Wikivoyage