Journal of Glaciology, February 17
In northwestern Greenland, rapid increases in meltwater from Qaanaaq Glacier resulted in two abnormally intense floods during the summers of 2015 and 2016. The high discharge associated with the 2015 flood, over three times higher than normal from this glacier, came from intense melt caused by warm temperatures and strong winds. In contrast, the 2016 flood resulted from heavy rainfall (90 mm a day) that led to a peak in glacier discharge nearly 7 times normal, at 20 cubic meters of water per second. Both floods caused extensive road damage, cutting off the Qaanaaq settlement from the regional airport; indicating the threat to local Greenland and Arctic communities from extreme weather events associated with continued global warming.
Compiled by Amy Imdieke.
By Science Writing Intern Haily Landrigan, Global Outreach Director Amy Imdieke, and ICCI Director Pam Pearson.
Published Feb. 22, 2021 Updated Jul. 12, 2022 3:24 pm