Qassiarsuk, Greenland

The first Norse settlement of Greenland was at Brattahlid (now Qassiarsuk), which yielded a radiocarbon date of about 1000. According to the sagas, it was also in the year 1000 that Leif Erikson left the settlement to explore the regions around Vinland, which is generally assumed to be Newfoundland. Norse settlements at their height had an estimated population of a few thousand. After 450 years, the settlements were all abandoned. Causes include: cumulative environmental damage; gradual climate change; conflicts with hostile neighbors; and loss of contact and support from Europe. The image was acquired June 13, 2016, covers an area of 30.9 by 27.7 km, and is located at 61.1 degrees north, 45.5 degrees west. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20996