Researchers from the University of Texas have found through computer models that Greenland's vertical glacier fronts may be melting at a quicker pace than previously believed. Vertical glacier fronts are large cliff-like structures that sharply meet the ocean, unlike horizontal glacier fronts which rest on top of the water in flat ice sheets.
The computer models developed by the Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences are intended to determine the rate at which glaciers are melting at the ice-water interface. These models, specifically tailored for the vertical glacier fronts in Greenland, were created using previous findings that the LeConte glacier front in Alaska might be melting at a rate 100 times greater than previously thought, as stated in a University of Texas news release.
Melting Faster Than Expected
Lead researcher Kirstin Schulz stated that the uncertainty in melt rates is substantial, and there is not enough accurate data to determine if previous estimations are correct. The new models are an effort to incrementally improve the understanding of the situation. Schulz emphasized the importance of computer work in advancing scientific knowledge. Due to the hazardous nature of collecting data from the jagged edges and falling ice of Greenland's glacier cliffs, previous models that relied on data from Antarctica's horizontal glaciers did not take into account the unique physical structure of Greenland's glaciers.
Helen Pillar, an associate researcher at the Oden Institute, explained that the rate at which glaciers melt can be divided into two categories: melting caused by changes in atmospheric temperature and melting from ocean water. The new model falls under the latter category and focuses specifically on the melting rate at the glacier-ocean interface.
According to Schulz, the challenge in Greenland is that research ships encounter large icebergs several kilometers before reaching the glacier front, making it difficult to deploy remotely operated vehicles. Despite attempts, the situation remains complex. Pillar pointed out that the melting of the Greenland ice sheet is a significant contributor to rising global sea levels and influences ocean circulation patterns, which have impacts on ecosystems and atmospheric patterns.
A melting glacier on the coast of Greenland.
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Greenland's Ice Sheet Significance
Pillar stated that there is a crucial exchange point between the vast global ocean and the vast ice sheet storing freshwater. Understanding the communication between these two elements is critical. Although this research pertains to only a small aspect of the larger climate process, Pillar hopes for increased collaboration within the climate community.
Pillar also noted that when she first entered the field, she perceived science to be more competitive. However, with the magnitude of the issue of climate change, it is now crucial for everyone to work together to find solutions as quickly as possible, as the entire world is facing changes that will greatly impact the quality of life.
Greenland's ice sheet is a key indicator of rising sea levels. The ice sheet is the second largest in the world, covering 80% of Greenland. If it were to fully melt, as it did during the Eemian interglacial period 125,000 years ago, it could result in a 20-foot, or 6.1-meter, rise in global sea levels. For many years, oceanographers have avoided studying the jagged cliffs of Greenland's glacier fronts due to the danger of falling ice, and instead have relied on data from the stable ice shelves in Antarctica for their simulations.
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