Disturbing Time-lapse Captures 563 Cubic Miles Of Ice Vanishing From Greenland

Greenland, home to Earth’s second-largest ice sheet, is melting at an unprecedented pace, raising alarms about the future of global sea levels and ecosystems. A comprehensive study by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) has revealed that between 2010 and 2023, Greenland lost a staggering 563 cubic miles (2,347 cubic kilometers) of ice.

Using advanced satellite data from ESA’s CryoSat-2 and NASA’s ICESat-2 missions, researchers have painted a vivid picture of the ice sheet’s retreat. The study combines radar and laser technology to measure changes in ice thickness, revealing an average thinning of 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) over just 13 years. Areas most affected include the sheet’s edges, where ice has thinned by an average of 21 feet (6.4 meters). Some outlet glaciers, such as Sermeq Kujalleq and Zachariae Isstrøm, recorded losses as extreme as 246 feet (75 meters). These dramatic changes highlight the vulnerabilities of Greenland’s edges, which bear the brunt of warming temperatures.

The collaboration between CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 ensured consistency in measurements, with the study demonstrating high levels of agreement between the two systems. Thorsten Markus, a project scientist for the ICESat-2 mission, remarked on the significance of this approach, noting how it enables scientists to fully harness the complementary nature of these satellite missions.

The implications of Greenland’s melting ice extend far beyond its icy borders. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Greenland Ice Sheet has been steadily losing mass since 1998 and is now the second-largest contributor to rising sea levels. Extreme melting events in 2012 and 2019 caused record annual losses of over 400 cubic kilometers, impacting global ocean circulation and weather patterns. Coastal communities face heightened risks of flooding and erosion, while ecosystems dependent on stable climates are increasingly under threat.

Nitin Ravinder, lead author from the UK Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling, emphasized the urgency of addressing this crisis, stating that understanding ice sheet loss is critical for both scientific research and policymaking. As the study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, underscores, access to accurate and up-to-date data is essential for preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Greenland’s melting ice sheet is more than a regional problem; it’s a global call to action. The combined efforts of NASA and ESA provide invaluable insights into the scale and speed of this transformation, equipping us with the tools to confront the challenges ahead. But the message is clear: without swift and decisive action to mitigate climate change, the world will face increasingly dire consequences.

The time to act is now.