Prof. T C. Chamberlin. 
33 
stitute the numerous small islands that fringe the coast. At many 
points it forms shoals and low islands, and is discernible even in 
the imperfect soundings shown on the coast charts of the region. 
Into this lower plain, the deeper channels along the coast, and the 
fiords in part, were excavated. The fiords, however, reach far 
back into the mountainous or upper plateau region. 
Imperfect as my observations were necessarily, they seem to 
justify the suggestion that the history of the development of 
Greenland’s topography embraced at least the following stages; 
quite possible it was much more complicated. The upper pla- 
teau appears to signify that at some former period, not very re- 
mote geologically, but certainly not very recent, the west coast of 
Greenland stood some 2000 feet lower than at present, and re- 
mained in that position during a period sufficiently long for the 
reduction of considerable tracts to a gradation plane, but ap- 
parently not long enough for the reduction of all the surface, for 
the bordering mountains of southern Greenland appear to be sur- 
vivals. After this partial leveling of the island, it appears to have 
been elevated to an altitude not very different from the present 
and to have stood there long enough for the development of the 
coastal plain above described. Contemporaneously with this, 
the valleys doubtless extended themselves backward into the 
higher country. Later, a further elevation appears to have en- 
sued to the extent of two or three thousand feet, during which the 
valleys were deepened and both the higher and lower plains con- 
siderably dissected upon their borders. Subsequent to this, the 
land sank to its present position, about which it is now obviously 
fluctuating, for there are evidences — among which are raised 
beaches and elevated shell deposits — ^that it has recently been ele- 
vated, and there are also evidences^ — among which are sunken 
ruins and forced migrations — ^that it has recently been sinking. 
General Geology of the Region. 
f 
Subordinate to the main subject of study, the glaciation of the 
region, observations were made upon the preglacial geology as 
opportunity afforded. All that was seen in southern Greenland 
is but a confirmation of what has already become known through 
