World Heritage Scanned Nomination File Name: 1149.pdf UNESCO Region: EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITE NAME: Ilulissat Icefjord DATE OF INSCRIPTION: 7th July 2004 STATE PARTY: DENMARK CRITERIA: N (i) (iii) DECISION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Excerpt from the Report of the 28th Session of the World Heritage Committee Criterion (i): The Ilulissat Icefjord is an outstanding example of a stage in the Earth’s history: the last ice age of the Quaternary Period. The ice-stream is one of the fastest (19m per day) and most active in the world. Its annual calving of over 35 cu. km of ice accounts for 10% of the production of all Greenland calf ice, more than any other glacier outside Antarctica. The glacier has been the object of scientific attention for 250 years and, along with its relative ease of accessibility, has significantly added to the understanding of ice-cap glaciology, climate change and related geomorphic processes. Criterion (iii): The combination of a huge ice sheet and a fast moving glacial ice-stream calving into a fjord covered by icebergs is a phenomenon only seen in Greenland and Antarctica. Ilulissat offers both scientists and visitors easy access for close view of the calving glacier front as it cascades down from the ice sheet and into the ice-choked fjord. The wild and highly scenic combination of rock, ice and sea, along with the dramatic sounds produced by the moving ice, combine to present a memorable natural spectacle. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250-km north of the Arctic Circle, Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord (40,240-ha) is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the fastest (19-m per day) and most active glaciers in the world. Its annual calving of over 35 cubic kilometres of ice, i.e. 10% of the production of all Greenland calf ice and more than any other glacier outside Antarctica. Studied for over 250 years, it has helped develop our understanding of climate change and icecap glaciology. The combination of a huge ice-sheet and the dramatic sounds of a fast-moving glacial ice-stream calving into a fjord covered by icebergs makes for a dramatic and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. 1.b State, Province or Region: West coast of Greenland, Bay of Disko Bugt (bight), Municipality of Ilulissat 1.d Exact location: N69 08 00 W49 30 00 Nomination of the ILULISSAT ICEFJORD for inclusion in the World Heritage List Naja Mikkelsen and Torsten Ingerslev (eds.) NOMINATION OF THE ILULISSAT ICEFJORD ILULISSAT ICEFJORD TURQUOISE FAIRYTALE CASTLE NOMINATION OF THE ILULISSAT ICEFJORD As part of the Danish and Greenlandic implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Conven- tion, the Greenland Home Rule decided in December 2000 to nominate Ilulissat Icefjord for inclusion in the World Heritage List as a natural property. The Ilulissat Icefjord is a significant Earth science site that includes a remarkable range of interna- tionally important glaciological features where major contributions to science have been underta- ken for over hundred years. This importance continues to the present day and inspires leading researchers to work in the area and attracts tourists because of its outstanding beauty. Since joining UNESCO, the Danish and Greenlandic Governments have been working to affirm its support for the World Heritage Convention, and we are pleased to be able to nominate a natu- ral site in Greenland for inclusion in the prominent list. Local people in Ilulissat and authorities in Greenland approve the nomination. We therefore fully support the nomination of Ilulissat Icefjord for World Heritage status. Edward Geisler Anthon Frederiksen Minister of Health and Environment Mayor of Ilulissat Greenland Greenland Photo: Jakob Lautrup, GEUS 3 MELT WATER RIVER NEAR THE MARGIN OF THE GREENLAND ICE SHEET Preface Ilulissat Icefjord is a scientifically unique area and, from an aesthetic point of view, an area of extre- me beauty. The present nomination document proposes that the unique nature of the Icefjord be recognised through the award of World Heritage Site status, in particular because of its interna- tional importance for the Earth sciences, exhibiting a full range of important glaciological features, and because of its natural beauty. The nomination describes the glaciology and beauty of the site and also the impact that the Icefjord has imposed on the history of human development in this part of Greenland. Achieving of long-term protection and positive management of the nominated site is a central con- cern of the proposal. Work towards this nomination has involved active local, national and inter- national consultation, and the principles and priorities for management have been established through thorough debate. A management plan approved by the local authorities outlines the future management of the nominated area. The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland has prepared the nomination document with the assistance and advice of many people and institutions. It is envisaged that a World Heritage Site status would provide an important contribution to the long-term conservation of the Ilulissat Ice- fjord area and ensure that its Earth science interests are also recognised in the future. We are delighted, therefore, to commend this nomination to the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. The World Heritage steering committee of the Ilulissat Icefjord Mette-Astrid Jessen Anders Eistrup-Jensen Chairman of Steering committee Co-Chairman of steering committee Ministry of Environment and Nature, Nuuk Municipality of Ilulissat Greenland Greenland Joel Berglund Sven Koefoed-Hansen Ministry of Culture Ministry of Culture Education, Research and Church, Nuuk Copenhagen Greenland Denmark Rolf Löfgren Naja Mikkelsen International adviser Project co-ordinator Naturvårdsverket, Stockholm Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Sweden Denmark 5 ICE SCULPTURES IN THE ICEFJORD Ilulissat Icefjord Photo: Dieter Zillman/Greenland Tours Elke Meissner Nomination of the ILULISSAT ICEFJORD for inclusion in the World Heritage List Naja Mikkelsen and Torsten Ingerslev (eds.) NOMINATION OF THE ILULISSAT ICEFJORD The present project has recieved financial support from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency as part of the environmental support program Dancea – Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic. The editor is respon- sible for all results and conclusions presented in the report, which do not necessarily reflect the position of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. DANCEA Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic Ministry of the Environment ICEBERG IN ILULISSAT ICEFJORD Photo: Jakob Lautrup, GEUS Editor: Naja Mikkelsen and Torsten Ingerslev, GEUS Technical editor: Henrik Klinge Pedersen, GEUS Cover and lay-out: Henrik Klinge Pedersen, GEUS Reprographic work: Benny Schark, Jakob Lautrup, GEUS Drawings: Henrik Klinge Pedersen, Annabeth Andersen, GEUS Maps: Willy Weng, Anette T. Hindø, Margareta Christoffersen, GEUS 3D interpretation: Carsten Thuesen, GEUS Satellite interpretation: Tapani Tukiainen, GEUS GEUS Photos: Source is given at individual photo. Print: Schultz Grafisk A/S ISBN: 87-7871-106-1 ©Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), 2002 Ministry of the Environment Øster Voldgade 10 DK- 1350 Copenhagen K Denmark 8 List of Contents 1. Identification of the Property 10 4. Management 93 1.a. Country 10 4.a. Ownership 93 1.b. State, Province or Region 10 4.b. Legal status 93 1.c. Name of Property 10 4.c. Protective measures and means of 1.d. Exact location on map and indication of implementing them 94 geographical co-ordinates 10 4.d. Agencies with management authority 95 1.e. Maps and/or plans showing boundary 4.e. Level at which management is exercised 96 of area proposed for inscription 10 4.f. Agreed plans related to Property 96 1.f. Area of Property 10 4.g. Sources and levels of finance 96 4.h. Sources of expertise and training in conser- 2. Justification for inscription 13 vation and management techniques 97 2.a. Statement of significance 13 4.i. Visitor facilities and statistics 98 2.b. Comparative analysis 15 4.j. Property management plan and statement 2.c. Authenticity/Integrity 20 of objectives 99 2.d. Criteria under which inscription is 4.k. Staffing levels 99 proposed 24 5. Factors Affecting the Property 101 3. Description 27 5.a. Development pressures 101 3.a. Description of Property 27 5.b. Environmental pressures 101 Glaciology 27 5.c. Natural disasters and preparedness 102 Quaternary geology 46 5.d. Visitor and tourism pressures 102 Bedrock geology 60 5.e. Number of inhabitants within Property 102 Climate 61 Marine ecosystem 62 6. Monitoring 107 Birds and terrestrial mammals 66 6.a. Key indicators for measuring the Te rrestrial and limnic plants 68 state of conservation 107 Archaeological sites at Ilulissat Icefjord 70 6.b. Administrative arrangements for 3b. History and Development 72 monitoring the Property 107 Oral tradition 72 6.c. Results of previous reporting exercises 107 Human settlement 73 History of hunting 77 7. Documentation 108 History of fishery 80 7.a. Photographs, slides and video 108 History of tourism 83 7.b. Copies of management plan and extracts 3.c. Form and date of most recent records of other plans 108 of Property 88 7.c. Bibliography 108 3.d. Present state of conservation 88 7.d. Addresses where inventory records and 3.e. Policies and programmes related to the archives are held 117 presentation and promotion of the Property 90 8. Signature on behalf of the State Party 118 Acknowledgements 119 Appendices 1–6 120 9 1. Identification of the Property 1.a. Country 20' 15' 51˚ 45' 69˚30' Denmark / Greenland. 1.b. State, Province or Region Greenland, Municipality of Ilulissat. Oqaitsut 1.c. Name of Property Ilulissat Icefjord. 15' 1.d. Exact location on map and indi- ILULISSAT cation of geographical co-ordinates The nominated area is bounded by latitude 68°48'N – KANGIA (IL 69°31'N, and longitude 48°28'W – 51°16'W.