Greenland Sea

 

arm of the Arctic Ocean, off the northeast coast of Greenland between Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island. It is the main outlet of the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic. Because of drifting arctic ice, the northern part is rarely open to navigation.

The Greenland Sea is an area of the Arctic Ocean, considered a part of the Norwegian Sea, between Greenland, Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Iceland, spanning some 465,000 square miles (1,205,000 square km).

It is the arm of the Arctic Ocean and the main outlet of the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic. Because of drifting arctic ice, the northern part is rarely open to navigation.

Average depth of the Greenland Sea is close to 4,750 feet (1,450 m). The deepest recorded point has been found in the northeasternmost part at 5600 m (Molloy Deep).

The Greenland Sea is densely inhabited by lower life forms from the base of the food chain. Large invertebrates, fish (such as cod, herring, redfish, halibut, and plaice), birds and mammals (including seals, whales, and dolphins) all feed on the smaller invertebrates and small organisms.

Coordinates: 76°40′N, 8°10′W

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