How did Greenland accumulate its vast mineral and resource wealth?

Greenland's mineral and resource wealth was formed over 4 billion years through geological processes including mountain building, rifting, and volcanic activity.

What natural resources are found in Greenland?

Greenland contains huge volumes of oil and gas, rich deposits of rare-earth elements, and rocks bearing gems and gold.

Will a warming world make Greenland's resources easier to access?

Yes, a warming world is expected to start making Greenland's resources more accessible, though exploiting them could be costly for the island.

Home / Science / Greenland's Wealth: Built by Giants

Greenland's Wealth: Built by Giants

28 Jan

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Summary

Greenland's resources formed over 4 billion years.
Mountain building, rifting, and volcanism created its wealth.
Warming may increase resource accessibility but at a cost.

Greenland, a predominantly ice-covered island, possesses vast natural resources such as oil, gas, rare-earth elements, gems, and gold. Its extraordinary mineral wealth is a legacy of 4 billion years of dynamic geological processes. These processes include intense mountain-building events that created fault networks, rifting associated with the Atlantic Ocean's formation which formed sedimentary basins for oil and gas, and volcanic episodes that deposited crucial rare-earth elements.

Although approximately 80% of Greenland is covered by ice, global warming is projected to make these valuable resources more accessible. However, any decision to exploit these resources would likely incur significant environmental and economic consequences for Greenland, raising complex ethical and practical considerations for its future.

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