Massive iceberg headed toward Greenland sparks official warning

Talk about a chilling effect.

A small settlement in Greenland is holding its collective breath as an iceberg of titanic proportions drifts dangerously close to shore — and residents’ homes.

For days now, the freakishly large frozen mass has been on a collision course with tiny Innaarsuit — leading local authorities to issue a warning to residents.

If the fearsome frosty float were to make contact with the shore or break apart, potential damage and injuries could follow, officials said.

Though it’s unlikely any broken ice chunks would fall directly on land, the impact of pieces of plummeting permafrost would create massive waves, which could sweep ashore.

These swells could cause immediate structural harm, or at their worst, wash away low-lying or already compromised structures entirely.

Innaarsuit is located on a small island in western Greenland, and the local economy revolves primarily around fishing. Government representatives cautioned against getting too close to the iceberg when sailing to and from the island, or even while going about daily activities on dry land.

“Emergency services encourage families not to go in a group towards the store, while at the same time asking people with walking difficulties to be extra careful when walking towards the store,” they said.

Typically, large icebergs move within a few days, but according to local worker Dennis Lehtonen, it’s been stationary for around a week, which is the main source of worry.

“Because of this, the [local municipality] issued the official warning for the iceberg and we are temporarily closing the local fish factory where I work as well as the small shop,” Lehtonen said.

Despite the towering magnitude of the frosty float, not all of the town’s residents are bothered by its presence.

“I have asked the locals about their feelings for the iceberg. Some say they’re worried, but there are plenty of people who are sort of excited (like me),” he added.

This isn’t the first time a hulking iceberg has sailed on into the Innaarsuit harbor.

Back in 2018, a similarly sized mass floated into the same harbor, and at 11 tons, it was so large it could be seen from space.

At the time, residents near areas that could be impacted were evacuated to higher ground.

The 2018 iceberg eventually floated away — after being assailed by days of consistently strong winds.