The glacier columns in the Ice School of Greenland are increasing faster and faster – with serious consequences. This process can then speed up the loss of ice and has a huge effect on sea level, a team of scientists now warns.
The fractures in the ice covering have been considerably expanded in just five years. This is the result of the study of an international research group, which reports in the “Nature Geoscience” magazine.
The team led by Tom Chudley of the British University of Durham analyzed more than 8000 3D surface maps of the ice sheet, which are made of satellite images with high resolution. The data show that the glacier columns between 2016 and 2021 have become larger and deeper to the rapidly flowing edges of the ice shield. This development is made faster than before, the study said.
Climate change leads to a shift in this dynamic, according to the research group. Higher temperatures let the ice flow faster, causing the cracks to expand and penetrate deeper into the ice. The study shows that on the edges of the ice sheet, where large glaciers touch the sea, the glacier current speed has increased.
Time of balance now
The increase was compensated by a decrease in glacier columns on the Sermeq Kujalleq (“Southern Glacier”), the fastest flowing glacier in Greenland – the movement was temporarily delayed during the research period. However, the flow rate of the Sermeq Kujalleq has since increased again, which indicated that the time of balance between growth and the closure of glacier columns on the ice shield is now over.
“In a warming world, we would expect that more glaciers will be formed. This is because the glaciers become faster in response to heating the oceans and that the melting water that fills the glacier split into the cracks deeper into the ice, ”Chesty Chudley is quoted in a message.
For the first time, the study can now recognize a significant increase in size and depth of glacier columns of rapidly flowing glaciers on the edges of the Greenland Ice Shield, in periods of five years and less, Chudley continues.
Dangerous Domino effect
Mit author Ian How what, director of the Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center at the US State University, adds: “When Glaciertient grow, they nourish the mechanisms that ensure that the glaciers of the ice shield move faster, water and warmth in the Drive the in the ice shield and accelerate the calves of icebergs in the ocean. Says how.
Melt the entire Greenland ice cream, the sea level rises by 7 meters
According to the study, Greenland has contributed since 1992 to an increase in sea level by around 14 millimeters. If the trend continues, the melting water of the ice shield can increase the global sea level to 30 centimeters against 2100. If the entire ice of Greenland melts, the sea level could even rise by seven meters.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
