Warm Water from the Atlantic Accelerates Greenland Glacier Retreat and Ice Sheet Loss

Science Advances, January 1

Warm Atlantic water flowing into dozens of Greenland’s deepest fjords nearly doubles the amount of ice loss by undercutting their outlet glaciers, accounting for about half of their melting and ice loss during the summer months.  The abrupt ∼1.9°C warming of sub-surface ocean waters around Greenland in 1998–2007 triggered widespread loss of these 74 major, deep fjord glaciers that drain the ice sheet, forcing them into a state of retreat.  Even though ocean warming paused to a great extent from 2007-2017, the earlier warming period had destabilized these glaciers to such a great extent that their ice loss continued and even accelerated.  This study indicates the importance of avoiding future additional warming, which may, at least semi-permanently; commit portions of Greenland to continued ice loss after the initial warming period, even once temperatures stabilize.

https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/1/eaba7282

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