Are icebergs made of salt water?

No, icebergs are made of freshwater that originates from compacted snow and glacial ice.

Are there icebergs in Greenland?

Yes, Greenland is famous for its many icebergs, especially along its western coast and in places like Ilulissat Icefjord.

How old are icebergs?

Icebergs can be thousands of years old, as they form from ancient glacial ice, but once calved, they usually last from months to a few years.

How do icebergs form?

Icebergs form when chunks of glacial ice break off, or calve, from glaciers or ice shelves and float in the ocean.

How deep are icebergs?

About 90% of an iceberg is underwater. Some can extend several hundred meters below the surface, depending on their size.

Ice in Greenland I The Ice Sheet, Glaciers and Icebergs in Greenland

See our travel packages featuring ice, glaciers and icebergs.

2 Types of Ice

Greenland features two main types of ice:

Freshwater icebergs that break off from glaciers
Saltwater ice formed when drifting sea ice floes are compressed together

When massive icebergs calve, it captures everyone’s attention. The force of large ice chunks breaking away sends shock waves through the water, sometimes creating a deafening sound.

Greenland is home to several ice formations that you can read about here:

ILULISSAT ICEFJORD I THE ICE SHEET I GLACIERS IN GREENLAND

Icebergs in Ilulissat Icefjord

When it comes to Greenland, it's impossible not to mention the fantastic iceberg formations. Each iceberg has its own distinct shape and beauty, and only about ⅛ of an iceberg is visible above the water's surface.

In several Greenlandic towns, you can spot icebergs directly from your doorstep. Ilulissat Icefjord is renowned for having the largest concentration of icebergs in Greenland. The enormous icebergs are central to the town, and "Ilulissat" even translates to “icebergs” in Greenlandic.

Ilulissat is located in the Disko Bay, and offers stunning views of the colossal icebergs calved from the active Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, the most productive calving glacier in the northern hemisphere.

Locally called Kangia, the fjord became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 for its natural beauty and geological importance. Ilulissat is a must-visit, drawing both visitors and Greenlanders alike to experience the beautiful Icefjord.

Types of Icebergs

White icebergs: Relatively young ice, often with a snowy or frosty appearance.
Blue icebergs: Older, denser ice that appears blue due to compressed air bubbles.
Black icebergs: Transparent, nearly invisible ice that can be difficult and dangerous to spot.
Ice floes: Flat sheets of frozen seawater, not true icebergs but often seen in Arctic waters.
Dirty icebergs: Ice containing sediment or debris, giving them a brown or greyish tint.

See the icebergs up close on an Icefjord Cruise ->

Ilulissat

For many enthusiasts, Ilulissat (formally Jakobshavn) is considered “the Navel of the World” when discussing travel to Greenland. The city offers a wealth of activities year-round, making it a top destination for adventure seekers and nature lover...

Are icebergs made of salt water?: No, icebergs are made of freshwater that originates from compacted snow and glacial ice.
Are there icebergs in Greenland?: Yes, Greenland is famous for its many icebergs, especially along its western coast and in places like Ilulissat Icefjord.
How old are icebergs?: Icebergs can be thousands of years old, as they form from ancient glacial ice, but once calved, they usually last from months to a few years.
How do icebergs form?: Icebergs form when chunks of glacial ice break off, or calve, from glaciers or ice shelves and float in the ocean.
How deep are icebergs?: About 90% of an iceberg is underwater. Some can extend several hundred meters below the surface, depending on their size.

The Ice Sheet in Greenland

Approx. 80% of Greenland is covered by the Inland Ice Sheet - the world's second largest ice mass. It covers 1.8 million km² and is 3500 m deep at its thickest point. It is the world's only area covered by permanent ice outside Antarctica.

In the centre of the ice sheet, accumulated snow is gradually buried. As it sinks further, high pressure forces the snow to form glacial ice. This occurs in the upper hundred metres of the ice.

Ice can be formed in two ways: when water freezes and when snow is compressed.

On top of the ice sheet, the ice movement is slow and covers most of the ice cap. The movement to the sides increases closer to the ice edge. The ice's horizontal float achieves peak velocity of 50-200 metres per year near the equilibrium line, after which the movement drops to near zero at the ice edge.

Want to walk on the Ice Cap or sleep on the Ice Cap? From Kangerlussuaq, you can find several tours to the Inland Ice.

Facts about the Greenland Ice Sheet

How thick is the Greenland Ice Sheet?

The Greenland ice sheet is, on average, about 1.5 kilometers (nearly 1 mile) thick, but in some places, it can reach up to 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) in thickness.

How deep is the Greenland Ice Sheet?

The deepest parts of the Greenland ice sheet are approximately 3 kilometers (about 2 miles) deep.

How big is the Greenland Ice Sheet?

The Greenland ice sheet covers an area of around 1.7 million square kilometers (about 656,000 square miles), making it the second largest ice sheet in the world after Antarctica.

How old is the Greenland Ice Sheet?

The Greenland ice sheet is up to several million years old, but the ice at the surface is typically formed within the last 100,000 years.

Glaciers in Greenland

Greenland is home to breathtaking glaciers that sculpt the landscape with rivers of ice that flow from the vast ice sheet toward the sea. The glaciers offer stunning experiences for travelers, who can embark on glacier tours. On these cruises visitors can get up close to calving icebergs and dramatic ice walls.

One glacier highlight in Greenland is Sermeq Kujalleq (Ilulissat Glacier), also the biggest glacier in Greenland - apart from the Ice Sheet.

Sermeq Kujalleq (Jakobshavn Glacier)

Jakobshavn Glacier, also known as Sermeq Kujalleq, sends an average of approximately 70 million tons of ice daily through Ilulissat Icefjord into Disko Bay. The glacier measures up to 7,500 meters wide and is 680 meters thick.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Ilulissat Icefjord's arctic environment is a highlight for many visitors.

Eqi Glacier

Eqi Glacier, or Eqip Sermia, is famous for its dramatic calving. Located north of Ilulissat, it spans about 3.4 kilometers wide.

Visitors can take boat tours to witness the glacier up close and even stay at the Eqi Glacier Lodge, overlooking the impressive glacier.

Russell Glacier

Russell Glacier, near Kangerlussuaq, is unique for its accessibility—visitors can drive right up to its towering 20–50 meter ice wall.

The glacier is famous for spectacular ice breaks and offers excellent opportunities to spot Greenlandic wildlife such as muskoxen, reindeer, and Arctic hares in the surrounding landscape.

Try this tour to Russell Glacier.

Explore ice, glaciers and icebergs in Greenland

Greenland offers a range of activities on ice and in snow, allowing visitors to experience the Arctic landscape in different ways. From snowmobiling across frozen landscapes to traditional dogsledding and quiet moments of icefishing, these activities provide authentic ways to explore Greenland’s winter environment.

Also see: Things to do in Greenland

Depart from Ilulissat harbor on an Icefjord tour to the glacier front, where massive icebergs sit atop a moraine 350 meters beneath the surface. Experience this striking natural phenomenon up close while discovering glaciology, the ice cap, and the calving process 65 kilometers along the fjord. The tour also explores the effects of climate change in the Arctic. Check prices here.

Snowmobiling in Greenland allows you to travel quickly across snowy terrain and frozen fjords. Guided tours are available in several regions, offering a practical way to experience the winter landscape and reach remote areas that are otherwise difficult to access during the colder months. See winter tours in Ilulissat here.

Dogsledding is a traditional mode of transport in Greenland, still used today in some communities. Tours let you experience the quiet movement across snow-covered ground, guided by local mushers and sled dogs. It’s a straightforward way to see the landscape and learn about Greenlandic culture.

Ice in Greenland

Discover Greenland's impressive world of ice, from vast glaciers and towering icebergs to fun winter activities. Explore the landscape, learn about the ice sheet, and find ways to experience the Arctic nature up close.

2 Types of Ice