Dennis Lehtonen records a pair of huge icebergs and visits a small village – the giant iceberg
Photographer Dennis Lehtonen captures a stunning Nordic phenomenon from the rocky outcrops overlooking the modest, brightly colored houses. Greenland, located 430 miles north of the Arctic Circle, sets the stage for a series of images that highlights dramatic visitors to the waterways in the region.
Lehtonen moved to Greenland in April 2023 to work at a local fish factory. He was fascinated by the polar regions and had spent some time in Lapland, the northernmost part of Finland. Minimal light pollution means a great opportunity to shoot Aurora Borealis, which remains a turning interest as he continues to explore the snow far away in the northern hemisphere.
When he arrived at Innaarsuit, he heard about an incident in 2018 when about 160 Inuit-resident villages had to be completely evacuated due to giant icebergs that settled near the coast. It is estimated to be about 100 meters high, and it has a threat to people’s safety, due to the danger of debris breaking and causing waves large enough to hit certain coastal houses. Although it is a nervous situation at its core, it is also surprising to see, while Leidening is unceremoniously curious: “What does it look like to have an ice hockey skyscraper in your backyard.”
A few weeks ago, Leiden and the locals discovered an iceberg, which he could even see was huge after a few miles. A few days later, it – actually a pair, fell into the innaarsuit, dwarfing the humble wooden houses of the fishing village.
Warn municipalities to be careful not to travel in groups when they are on the shore. As the iceberg moves, the debris occasionally breaks, forming an echo similar to thunder. Although more accustomed to icebergs, many locals have also documented this phenomenon. “They will also tell me that this is the highest iceberg they’ve ever seen rising above the house,” Leiden said. “So it’s definitely a special event.”
Interested in the final record of Alaska, northern Canada and remote areas of Siberia, Leighton is pleased to continue exploring Greenland now as it still arouses his curiosity. “The (nomadic) lifestyle doesn’t seem to make sense to most others, but I think it will create the best memories,” he told Giants. Find more on his website and on Instagram.
