17/06/2026
Nunatak: islands in a sea of ice
The word nunatak comes from the Inuit language of Greenland and means “isolated land.” It describes a mountain peak or rocky ridge that rises above the surrounding ice, standing like an island in a frozen ocean.
These dramatic formations offer a glimpse of the landscape hidden beneath glaciers and ice caps, creating some of the most striking scenery in the Arctic. At the Svalbard archipelago, numerous nunataks emerge from glaciers and snowfields, shaping the wild and rugged character of the region.
For explorers and sailors alike, nunataks are powerful symbols of resilience and permanence—ancient rock standing above ice that is constantly moving and changing.