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Why is Greenland physically associated with North America despite its cultural ties to Europe?

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Map of North America showing international boundaries, country names, and capital cities. The map includes Canada, the United States, Mexico, Greenland, Central American countries, and Caribbean nations, with a locator inset at the bottom left for global context. Major bodies of water such as the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and Caribbean Sea are labeled.
North America

Greenland is physically associated with North America primarily due to its geological structure and proximity. Structurally, the island is an extension of the Canadian Shield, a vast, stable plateau composed of ancient Precambrian rocks that form the core of the North American continent.12

Furthermore, Greenland is physically linked to the continent by a submarine ridge that is no deeper than 600 feet (180 meters). Geographically, it is situated in close proximity to the North American mainland, separated from Canada's Ellesmere Island by only 16 miles (26 km). While Greenland maintains distinct cultural and political ties to Europe—specifically through its historical and ongoing relationship with Denmark—these physical and tectonic characteristics firmly anchor it to the North American landmass.132