A recent study has revealed that the rising temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean are putting previously stable glaciers at risk. According to a recent study, a once highly stable glacier in Greenland is now retreating at an unprecedented rate, likely due to the effects of rising ocean temperatures ca
Greenland’s Steenstrup Glacier has retreated 5 miles, thinned by 20%, doubled its ice discharge, and quadrupled in velocity between 2018 and 2021, according to a study led by The Ohio State University. The rapid change places Steenstrup in the top 10% of glaciers contributing to the region’s total ice discharge, highlighting the vulnerability of even stable glaciers to sudden retreat due to warmer waters, with potential consequences for global sea level rise.
Over the past few decades, much of this loss has been attributed to accelerated ice discharge from tidewater glaciers, glaciers that make contact with the ocean. Many glaciologists believe that this recent uptick in ice discharge can be explained by the intrusion of warming waters that are being swept from the Atlantic into Greenlandic fjords – critical oceanic gateways that can impact the stability of local glaciers and the health of polar ecosystems.
“There were plenty of other glaciers in Greenland that had retreated dramatically since the 1990s and increased their contribution to sea level rise, but this really wasn’t one of them.” “Our current working hypothesis is that ocean temperatures have forced this retreat,” Chudley said. “The fact that the glacier’s velocity has quadrupled in just a few years opens up new questions about how fast large ice masses can really respond to climate change.”
As around 10% of the planet’s population lives in low-lying coastal zones, Chudley said that any significant rise in sea level can cause increased risk to low-lying islands and coastal communities from storm surges and tropical cyclones. While the research says continued scientific observation of the Steenstrup Glacier should be a priority, it concludes other similar glaciers also deserve attention because of their potential to retreat due to warming waters.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arizona softball squanders 4-run lead, suffers unprecedented 13th straight loss in conference playThe Arizona softball team squandered a four-run lead in a 7-4 loss to No. 17 Oregon; the Wildcats' 13-game conference losing streak is believed to be the longest in program history.
Read more »
Forest once set for a cut is safe in Haddon Twp.Criticized for proposing athletic fields there, commissioners voted to preserve the MacArthur Tract and its old-growth trees.
Read more »
Local barber who once experienced homelessness gives back at annual Homeless Stand Down event in ClevelandCleveland’s 32nd Annual Homeless Stand Down event kicked off Saturday; hundreds of volunteers and more than 80 nonprofit organizations and service providers attended the event.
Read more »
Cavs’ weak spots once again made obvious in Game 4 loss to the Knicks: Ashley BastockThe Cavs now face a 3-1 series hole against the Knicks, and with each loss, season-long questions about this team seem closer to being answered -- and not in their favor.
Read more »
DOGE Founder Slams NFT Investors as Mentally Ill, Here's WhyNFT investors are even more mentally ill than just crypto investors: Dogecoin creator BillyM2k $DOGE elonmusk
Read more »
Verizon is at the start of a new chapter, but will the story be any different?Verizon Communications Inc. is at the beginning of a new chapter once again.
Read more »