Greenland’s ice sheet is experiencing rapid thinning, with significant implications for global sea levels and weather patterns. A recent study using satellite data from CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 has revealed the extent of this thinning, which is critical for understanding and adapting to climate change.
The ice sheet thinned by an average of 1.2 meters between 2010 and 2023, with the most extreme thinning occurring at glaciers such as Sermeq Kujalleq in west central Greenland. This thinning has also had a significant impact on global ocean circulation and weather patterns.
Researchers from Northumbria University, part of an international team monitoring changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet using satellite data, have confirmed that the satellites can be combined to produce more accurate estimates of ice loss than either could achieve alone. The study found that CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 measurements agree to within 3%.
This collaborative effort between ESA and NASA has provided a valuable platform for understanding Greenland’s ice coverage over the past decade, offering unprecedented accuracy in tracking sea and land ice thickness. By combining radar and laser data from both satellites, scientists can now better understand the similarities and differences between these technologies.
The study highlights the importance of accurate measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s changing size to inform policymakers about climate-related changes in polar ice. The partnership between CPOM and satellite missions such as CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 will continue to provide long-term capabilities for monitoring change in the Polar regions and predicting future ice and ocean evolution.
While the study notes that global warming is accelerating, it does not provide explicit explanations for this acceleration or why melting occurs more rapidly. However, the data suggests a localized phenomenon on the west coast of Greenland, with significant ice loss at certain locations. The location of these losses may be related to topographic features such as faults, but further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
The study emphasizes the need for continued collaboration and investment in polar ice monitoring, providing accurate data to inform policymakers about climate-related changes and the potential consequences of sea level rise.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/cryosat-2-and-icesat-2-reveal-alarming-speed-of-greenlands-ice-meltdown