Topographic map of Greenland without its ice sheet

Did you know that there's an entire world hidden under Greenland's ice? This massive frozen blanket has been there for millions of years, and it's absolutely huge - we're talking about the second-largest ice sheet on Earth after Antarctica. It covers about 1.71 million square kilometers (660 thousand sq mi), which means roughly 79% of Greenland is under ice.

Here's something mind-blowing: this ice isn't just a thin layer - it's incredibly thick. On average, it's 2.1 kilometers deep (that's 1.3 miles), and in some places, it gets even thicker - over 3 kilometers (1.9 miles)! Imagine standing at the bottom of that ice sheet - you'd be looking up through ice as tall as 10 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other.

But what's really fascinating is what scientists have found underneath all that ice. Using special radar technology, they've discovered an amazing landscape with deep valleys and huge mountains. There's even a canyon down there that's as impressive as the Grand Canyon!

Topographic map of Greenland without its ice sheet

Greenland is melting. Every year, about 260 billion tonnes of ice flows into the ocean (https://www.climate.gov/greenland-ice-sheet-melting). That's a lot of ice, and it's melting faster than ever before. If all of Greenland's ice melted - all 2.85 million cubic kilometers of it - our oceans would rise by 7.42 meters (24.34 feet). Just think about what that would mean for coastal cities around the world.

Scientists are keeping a close eye on this melting ice. In the last twenty years, they've noticed it's melting much faster than before. Understanding the landscape under the ice helps them figure out how quickly these changes might happen.

Interested in learning more? Check out these books and maps: (Amazon Associate Links)

I'd love to hear what you think about this hidden landscape! Have you ever seen a glacier up close? Share your stories in the comments!

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Find cities with similar climate

This map has been created using The Global environmental stratification. The Global environmental stratification (GEnS), based on statistical clustering of bioclimate data (WorldClim). GEnS, consists of 125 strata, which have been aggregated into 18 global environmental zones (labeled A to R) based on the dendrogram. Interactive map >> Via www.vividmaps.com Related posts: - Find cities with similar climate 2050 - How global warming will impact 6000+ cities around the world?

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When summer arrives, it brings not only vacation season but also some of the most extreme heat waves across the globe. While many people associate summer with warm, sunny days, some regions endure scorching temperatures that push the limits of human endurance. To put these extremes into perspective, we’ve mapped the highest temperatures ever recorded in countries around the world. The maps below, created by Vivid Maps , illustrate these record-breaking temperatures and the patterns of extreme heat across the globe. The Hottest Temperature on Record According to historical weather data, the highest reliably recorded temperature on Earth is 56.7°C (134°F) , measured in Death Valley, California , on July 10, 1913 . However, an even higher temperature of 58°C (136.4°F) was reportedly recorded in El Azizia, Libya , on September 13, 1922 . While this Libyan record stood for decades, some meteorologists have questioned its accuracy due to inconsistencies in measurement methods at the ti...

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We often talk about record heat , especially in the context of climate change. But on the flip side, our planet also experiences cold so extreme it defies belief—temperatures that can flash-freeze exposed skin and halt life as we know it. These are not just numbers on thermometers; they’re snapshots of how Earth's atmosphere behaves under specific conditions—altitude, wind patterns, and location far from the moderating effects of oceans. The coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth? That title goes to Vostok Station in Antarctica, where scientists measured a bone-cracking −89.2°C (−128.6°F) on July 21, 1983. Located on the East Antarctic Plateau, Vostok is more than 1,000 kilometers from the South Pole and sits atop about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) of ice. It’s isolated, dry, and high—three ingredients that make for perfect deep freeze conditions. The world map below created by VividMaps shows the lowest temperature ever recorded by country. The Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth...

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