Greenland’s Rising Air Temperatures Drive Ice Loss at Surface and Beyond
Climate Change
A new NASA study, published in the January issue of the quarterly Journal of Glaciology, confirms that the surface temperature of Greenland’s massive ice sheet has been rising, stoked by warming air temperatures, and fueling loss of the island’s ice at the surface and throughout the mass beneath.
Should we be concerned? The study used a number of new satellites to confirm, the increase in global temperatures, has resulted in increased melting and runoff of Greenland’s massive ice fields. The news release from NASA can be read at this link:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/news/topstory/2008/greenland_temps.html
What is missing from the news release is the size of the impact. NASA has absolutely confirmed that the increase in air temperature is causing the surface ice to melt faster. Water from the melting surface ice flows (over a mile in some areas) to the ground level and then out into the ocean. Thus the mass of the ice on the land is decreasing. It’s not a case where the surface ice melts when it’s warm, then refreezes in place when the temperatures drops in the winter months.
A bit more guidance from NASA on the rate of increased mass loss and its specific impact on ocean levels would be appreciated.
Your comments are welcome.
Bruce.
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