New Harbor in Kangerlussuaq, Western Greenland:Field Investigations and Utilization of Existing Materials

• Main Authors: Stenstad, Jaran Gjerlandj, Eppeland, Kjetil Grødal, Ingeman-Nielsen, Thomas
• Format: Other Non-Article Part of Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: Greenland; Kangerlussuaq; New Harbor; Hancock Pynt; Arctic
• Online Access: https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/publications/7d782d91-4058-4e5f-87e3-168b9d17b728; https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/116665583/Stenstad_et_al_2015_New_Harbor_in_Kangerlussuaq_Western_Greenland_Field_Investigations_and_Utilization_of_Existing_Materials.pdf

The international airport of Greenland is located in Kangerlussuaq, making it an important connection point for tourists and transportation of goods. However, the existing harbor in Kangerlussuaq experiences major challenges in the form of extensive sedimentation of glaciofluvial sediments transported by rivers from the inland ice to the inner parts of the fjord. These sediment layers reduce the water depth and prevent container- and cruiseships to dock, imposing large additional maintenance costs, and inefficient operability. Through engineering geological field and lab investigations, a possible new harbor location around 10 km further out the fjord near Hancock Pynt, has been investigated. The onshore area was found to be highly suitable for a harbor support area, where a sub-base thickness of 1.8 m with gravel cover-layer was found adequate for the calculated design loads. Existing sediment deposits at the location are reusable as construction material and may reduce construction costs. Bathymetry investigations indicate however that measures must be taken to increase the water depth, and the offshore sediments were found not suitable as support for foundations.