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Denmark Strait Facts

Denmark Strait Facts
The Denmark Strait is the body of water located between Greenland at its southeast and Iceland at its northwest - separating the two countries. It is considered to be an oceanic strait. It is also referred to as Greenland Strait in Greenland. The Demark Strait stretches 300 miles long, and is 180 miles wide at its narrowest spot.
Interesting Denmark Strait Facts:
To date, the highest underwater waterfall known to exist in the world is the Denmark Strait Cataract, which is located on the Denmark Strait's western side. The water falls 11,500 feet.
The waterfall in the Denmark Strait exists because of the temperature differences between the water on either side of the strait. The western side is much warmer than the eastern side. As the water meets on the strait's top ridge the colder water flows under the warmer water, which creates a waterfall.
Jan Mayen, a Norwegian Island, is located northeast of the Denmark Strait.
The East Greenland Current, which is located off Greenland's east coast and cuts through the Nordic Seas, also runs through the Denmark Strait. As it moves through the strait it carries icebergs southbound from the Arctic to the North Atlantic.
The Denmark Strait is host to important fisheries in its waters.
The World War II Battle of the Denmark Strait occurred on May 24th, 1941. During the battle the German Bismarck battleship sank the British HMS Hood battle cruiser. Of the 1418 men aboard only 3 survived the explosion. The Bismarck made it through the Denmark Strait but was damaged in the battle and was sunk three days later.


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