The vast ice shelves extending from the glaciers in North Greenland have witnessed a remarkable decline over the past five decades. Researchers have determined that these frozen extensions have lost over a third of their volume, with three of them succumbing to complete collapse. A study published in Nature Communications employed satellite imagery and climate data to reveal that the ice shelves in this region have shrunk by more than 35% since 1978, primarily attributed to the warming of the surrounding ocean. This raises alarm as Greenland harbours an immense quantity of ice, and its complete melting could elevate sea levels by nearly seven feet, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences.
According to the report, the Greenland ice sheet has contributed 17.3% of the observed rise in sea level in the period 2006-2018 and has thus become the second largest contributor after ocean thermal expansion.
Between 2000 and 2020, there was a widespread increase in basal melt rates that closely followed a rise in ocean temperature. These glaciers are showing a direct dynamical response to ice shelf changes with retreating grounding lines and increased ice discharge.
As per the release, these results were obtained using field observations, aerial photography, and satellite data combined with regional climate models.
"The observed increase in melting coincides with a distinct rise in ocean potential temperature, suggesting a strong oceanic control on ice shelf changes," researchers said in the study. "We are able to identify a widespread ongoing phase of weakening for the last remaining ice shelves in this sector."
Featured Video Of The Day
Bullseye! India's Homegrown Glide Bomb 'Gaurav' Hits Target 100 Km Away
- Greenland
- ice shelves
- decline
- collapse
- study
- Nature Communications
- satellite imagery
- climate data
- ocean warming
- sea levels
- Greenland ice sheet
- sea level rise
- ocean thermal expansion
- basal melt rates
- glacier retreat
- grounding lines
- ice discharge
- field observations
- aerial photography
- satellite data
- regional climate models
- ocean potential temperature
- weakening ice shelves
Government Will Build Education System So That Youngsters Need Not Go Abroad: PM Modi Is Great Britain Still Great? Millions Face Hunger As Poverty Crisis Escalates Applications Invited For 2025 Commonwealth Master's Scholarship In The UK 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Ayatollah Khamenei Warns Of "Divine Wrath" If Iran Backs Down Against Israel 9 Arrested For Violence At Kolkata Hospital Where Doctor Was Raped-Murdered Water On Mars: Uncovering All The Locations Water Was Found On Red Planet Huge Participation At Independence Day Celebrations By Army's Spear Corps Akasa Air Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Bhopal For Sick Passenger Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.