Disko Island is a geological anomaly hiding rare native iron and unique microscopic life.

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Located off the west coast of Greenland, Disko Island is far more than a remote icy outpost. It is a site of prehistoric megatsunamis, home to rare non-meteoric native iron, and a biological hotspot where scientists discovered an entirely unique phylum of microscopic animal life in its hot springs.

Covering 8,578 square kilometres, Disko Island is Greenland's second-largest island. Its rugged landscape, which rises to a peak of 1,919 metres, has been shaped by dramatic geological events. Prehistoric research reveals that the surrounding Sullorsuaq Strait was struck by nine major tsunamigenic landslides during the Holocene. Two of these events, occurring around 5650 BC and 5350 BC, generated massive megatsunamis that hit nearby Alluttoq Island with run-up heights reaching up to 70 metres.

The island's history is marked by both human endeavor and natural volatility. Norse colonists used the island for hunting and fishing as early as the late 10th century. Centuries later, the coal mining town of Qullissat became a cultural hub, reaching a population of 1,400 by 1966. However, the town was vulnerable to the region's unstable geography. In 1952, a landslide-induced tsunami damaged the settlement, and by 1972, the town was abandoned, leaving the island's northern coast uninhabited.

Beyond its human history, Disko Island is a treasure trove for researchers. It is one of the few places on Earth where native iron—not of meteoric origin—exists, including a massive 20-tonne mixture of iron and cohenite. The island’s hot springs are equally significant, serving as the discovery site for Limnognathia, the sole member of its phylum. Furthermore, the island hosts high marine interstitial diversity, including unique gastrotrich species like Diuronotus aspetos, which have not been reported anywhere else in the world.

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