Mernoq Island Explained

Mernoq
Map:Greenland
Archipelago:Upernavik Archipelago
Location:Greenland
Coordinates:73.7472°N -56.2833°W
Length Km:9.7
Country:Greenland
Country Admin Divisions Title:Municipality
Country Admin Divisions:Avannaata

Mernoq Island is an uninhabited island in Avannaata municipality in northwestern Greenland.

History

With brief intervals of no permanent settlement, Mernoq Island was inhabited between 1891, when the Kuuk settlement was founded, and 1972, when it was abandoned.[1] Kuuk was perched on the southern end of the island, at the Qernertunnguaq cape.[2]

Geography

Mernoq Island is located in Tasiusaq Bay, in the north-central part of Upernavik Archipelago. It is sandwiched between Qullikorsuit Island in the north − from which it is separated by the Mernup Tunua strait − Paornivik Island in the northeast, and Tuttorqortooq Island in the southwest.[2]

The island is hilly, but not mountainous; the highest point is an unnamed hill of 386m (1,266feet) in the center of the island.[2]

Coastline

The coastline of the island is generally undeveloped, with two shallow, unnamed bays in the east.[2]

Promontories

Name Direction Latitude N Longitude W
Mernup Erqua Northwestern Cape 73°46′20″ 56°24′50″
Nannuffik Eastern Cape 73°43′13″ 56°09′50″
Qernertunnguaq Southern Cape 73°42′20″ 56°11′40″

Notes and References

  1. Book: Petersen, Robert. Settlements, kinship and hunting grounds in traditional Greenland: A comparative study of local experiences from Upernavik and Ammassalik. Danish Polar Center. 105, 107. 2003. 978-87-635-1261-9.
  2. Upernavik Avannarleq, Saga Map, Tage Schjøtt, 1992