Ikka Fjord

Ikka Fjord in southwestern Greenland is a flooded glacial valley enclosed by ancient cliffs and crossed by the Grønnedal-Ika igneous complex. It is renowned for a rare concentration of submarine ikaite columns, formed where highly alkaline freshwater meets cold seawater on the fjord floor. At least 938 of these fragile mineral pillars are known, creating an unusual habitat for distinctive algae, bacteria, mites, and orchids. Scientific study beginning in 1962 led to the first identification of ikaite. Because the mineral breaks down in water warmer than 10°C, climate warming threatens both the columns and the ecosystem they support, prompting protected status.

Sermersooq · Greenland