The European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have released the first joint measurements of the Greenland Ice Sheet’s melting, using data from their CryoSat and ICESat-2 ice missions.
Global warming is driving rapid melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, contributing to global sea level rise and disrupting weather patterns. To understand this change, precise measurements are crucial for adapting to climate change. The scientists have used data from both satellites to confirm that they agree on the changes in elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet within 3% of each other.
Over the past 13 years, the ice sheet has thinned by an average of 1.2 meters, with some areas thinning as much as 6.4 meters due to summer melting exceeding winter snowfall. The most extreme thinning occurred at the outlet glaciers, with Sermeq Kujalleq experiencing a peak thinning of 67 meters and Zachariae Isstrøm reaching 75 meters.
The Greenland Ice Sheet has shrunk by 2347 cubic kilometers since 2010, similar to the amount of water stored in Africa’s Lake Victoria. The biggest changes occurred in 2012 and 2019 due to extreme melting during those years.
Accurate data on ice sheet changes is essential for preparing for and adapting to climate change. Combining CryoSat and ICESat-2 measurements has provided a more reliable estimate of ice loss than either mission could achieve alone, making it an invaluable tool for scientists and policymakers.
The success of this joint measurement is attributed to the complementary nature of both satellites’ technologies – radar signals can penetrate clouds but require adjustments, while laser signals reflect from the surface. The near-simultaneous collection of data over the same regions enables scientists to measure snow depth with unprecedented accuracy.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in monitoring polar ice loss and preparing for its global consequences.
Source: https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/CryoSat/ESA_and_NASA_deliver_first_joint_picture_of_Greenland_Ice_Sheet_melting