(Copenhagen) During an expedition in July, a group of scientists discovered what they believe to be the world’s northernmost land surface, north of Greenland, the University of Copenhagen said.
“The unnamed island lies 780 meters north of Oodaaq, an island off Cape Morris Jesup, the northernmost point of Greenland and one of the northernmost points on the planet,” writes the ‘University in a statement released Friday evening.
Oodaaq, some 700 km south of the North Pole, was until now, according to the Danish academy, the most northerly land in the world.
The new islet, still unnamed, measures about 30 meters by 60 meters and rises three or four meters above sea level.
PHOTO JULIAN CHARRIERE, VIA REUTERS
The researchers, who initially went to take samples, thought they were initially on Oodaaq.
“We were informed that there had been an error on my GPS which made us believe that we were on the island of Oodaaq. In fact, we had discovered a new island further north, a discovery that slightly enlarges the kingdom “of Denmark, the expedition leader, geographer Morten Rasch said in the statement.
This expansion of the Danish kingdom is however fragile, he noted because this island probably belongs to the category of “short-lived islets”.
“No one knows how long she will stay. In principle, it could disappear as soon as a new strong storm arrives, ”he explained.