Integrated disaster risk management in Greenland
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz - FHNW
Government of Greenland
Government of Greenland
Lay summary
In Greenland, natural hazards are expected to occur with increased severity and frequency due to climate change. Of particular concern are tsunamis that are induced by the sudden failure of unstable slopes; they can affect coastal areas over large distances and represent a danger for settlements. Several of such events occurred in recent time, the most tragic one being the 17 June 2017 tsunami triggered by a large rock avalanche in the Karrat Fjord at Umiammakku Nunaat. It destroyed 11 houses and took 4 lives in Nuugaatsiaq.
The Government of Greenland is implementing monitoring and surveillance systems and is developing risk mitigation strategies to better understand and address such events. This project aims at strengthening the national capacities at both the institutional and operational levels. It will foster best practices and support the elaboration of a strategic framework for hazard and risk assessment adapted to the Greenlandic context. In parallel, the project will attempt to bridge the gap between mass movements and tsunami simulation models. The project will build on expertise from Switzerland, Greenland and the Arctic region.
Details
| Regional focus | Arctic |
| Location | Greenland |
| Funded amount | 50,000 CHF |
| Project dates | 1st October 2024 – 1st December 2026 |
| Category | International Collaboration |