Meridiansten

Meridiansten is a large, monolith-shaped rock formation located in the Upernavik Archipelago in northwest Greenland. The stone has a height of approximately 70 meters and is situated on a small island off the coast of a larger island, Ivittuut.

Geologically, Meridiansten is composed of rhyolitic igneous rock, which is a type of volcanic rock that formed as a result of rapid cooling of lava flows. The rock's distinctive shape is thought to have been created through a combination of physical and chemical weathering processes, including ice wedging and frost heaving.

The island is accessible only by sea, and the surrounding waters are known for abundant marine life. The climate in the area is Arctic, with long, cold winters and short, cool summers. In recent years, climate change has triggered the melting of several nearby glaciers, resulting in changes to the island's landscape.

Meridiansten has been measured by the Danish Geodetic Institute to have a north-south orientation that is almost exact to the Earth's prime meridian. The intersection point of the prime meridian at the equator is designated as zero degrees, making Meridiansten one of the closest points to the equator in the Arctic Circle. In 1958, the site was designated by the International Geodetic Association as Point Initialis, an international reference point for measuring longitude.

The proximity of Meridiansten to the North Pole and its precise orientation make it a valuable reference point for geographers and geophysicists. The site's remote location and harsh climate make it difficult to access, limiting scientific research and exploration.