“Space Insights: Unraveling the Rapid Disappearance of Greenland’s Ice Sheet”

Researchers from Northumbria University have collaborated with an international research team to leverage satellite data for tracking variations in the thickness of the Greenland Ice Sheet.

This investigation is vital as climate change accelerates ice melting, leading to rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns globally.

The research collective has successfully provided the first measurements of changes in ice sheet thickness by utilizing data from the CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 missions, conducted by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, respectively.

Both satellites utilize altimeters as their main sensors but employ different technologies: CryoSat-2 relies on radar, whereas ICESat-2 uses a laser system.

The complementary aspects of these technologies enable more precise evaluations of ice sheet alterations. Radar can penetrate cloud cover but needs adjustments for ice surface penetration, while laser signals directly reflect from the surface but are impeded by cloud interference.

A recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters indicates that the measurements from both satellites agree within 3%, corroborating their combined use for more accurate assessments of ice loss.

From 2010 to 2023, the Greenland Ice Sheet experienced an average reduction of 1.2 meters in thickness, with the ablation zone seeing a dramatic average decrease of 6.4 meters.

Significantly, outlet glaciers like Jakobshavn Isbræ and Zachariae Isstrom showed peak thinning rates of 67 and 75 meters, respectively.

The total volume loss over the 13-year span accounted for 2,347 cubic kilometers—sufficient to fill Lake Victoria. Significant losses were documented during extreme heat events in 2012 and 2019, when over 400 cubic kilometers were lost each year.

Lead author Nitin Ravinder, a researcher at the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling (CPOM), underscored the significance of this research for comprehending global sea level rise.

The outcomes will support policymakers in preparing for the repercussions of climate change, emphasizing the urgent necessity for accurate data on polar ice dynamics as we tackle ongoing environmental issues.