Glacial Waves Accelerate Greenland Melt

As if the melting Greenland glaciers weren’t worrisome enough (accounting ~ 25% of total sea level rise), the acceleration is creating waves in the glaciers moving them closer to the sea. Glacial waves that typically move at ~ 1 mile/year are moving at 7.5 miles/month dumping an extra 6.7 gigatons of ice into the ocean. Previous stories and estimates have been conservative, with higher expected nominal melting. These waves are new phenomena that have not be incorporated into the models. Sea level rise estimates were already being expanded upwards. It may be time to do so again.

“Waves Rippled Through Greenland’s Ice. That’s Ominous.” – Climate Central