Earth Science News
ICE WORLD
Greenland ice crevasses escalate fueling further rise in sea levels
illustration only
Greenland ice crevasses escalate fueling further rise in sea levels
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 04, 2025

Over a five-year span, the Greenland ice sheet gained 930 million cubic meters of new crevasses, an amount comparable to inserting a Great Pyramid of Giza-sized fracture into the planet's second largest ice mass every few days.

Steep increases in crevassing, particularly in swiftly flowing sectors, may trigger feedback loops that accelerate ice loss and drive sea level rise. Since 1992, Greenland's melt has lifted global sea levels by about 0.4 inches, with experts predicting it will add another foot by the end of this century.

Those conclusions emerge from a study examining Greenland between 2016 and 2021, undertaken by scientists from the University of Florida, Durham University in the United Kingdom, and other institutions. Their work is the first multi-year, ice-sheet-wide analysis of crevasses, enabling researchers to observe how these fractures evolve over relatively brief spans of time.

Investigating crevasse behavior across all of Greenland's ice demanded innovative methods.

"You can't do it in person, because crevasses are dangerous. It's hard to study by hand using satellite data. Automated approaches are needed to determine this at an ice-sheet scale," explained study co-author and University of Florida geological sciences professor, Emma MacKie, Ph.D., who specializes in machine learning methods.

Along with experts from Ohio State University and the University of Washington, the team devised an automated crevasse detection and measurement tool, drawing on three-dimensional satellite imagery provided by the Polar Geospatial Center.

Although the overall data reveal growing crevassing throughout most of Greenland, specific areas display contrasting trends. A western region actually experienced a dip in crevasse volume during the study period, but that decline was more than offset by sharp increases, as high as 25 percent, in other parts of the glacier.

After the study ended, the west side began forming additional cracks, indicating that larger swaths of the ice sheet will likely see an uptick in crevassing in the near future.

"Crevasses can induce accelerated ice flow, leading to more crevassing. So there are these potential positive feedback loops caused by crevassing," MacKie said. "This mechanism should be considered in Greenland ice sheet models that we're using to project future sea level rise."

Partial funding for this research was provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation.

Research Report:Increased crevassing across accelerating Greenland Ice Sheet margins

Related Links
University of Florida
Beyond the Ice Age

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ICE WORLD
Climate change increases risk of successive natural hazards in the Himalayas
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 31, 2025
An international team of researchers has analyzed the causes and consequences of the catastrophic October 2023 flood along the Teesta River in Sikkim, India. The study, which included experts from nine countries, including the University of Zurich (UZH), examined the complex factors behind the disaster and provided a detailed reconstruction of the event's timeline. On October 3, 2023, a massive 14.7 million cubic meters of frozen moraine material collapsed into South Lhonak Lake, generating a tsun ... read more

ICE WORLD
One dead, dozens missing in China landslide

Fukushima nuclear plant operator to dismantle water tanks next week

El Salvador offers to jail violent U.S. criminals in 'unprecedented' deal

Israel defence minister orders army to plan for 'voluntary' departures from Gaza

ICE WORLD
Alloy discovered that barely changes with temperature

Big Tech's AI spending rattles markets

Orbex lands D-Orbit deal prior to first mission this year

EdgeCortix unveils SAKURA-I with proven radiation immunity for orbital and lunar ventures

ICE WORLD
Seeking climate connections among the oceans' smallest organisms

Marine Prosperity Areas introduce a fresh approach to ocean conservation

New Zealand chides Cook Islands for 'lack of transparency'

New Zealand says 'blindsided' by Cook Islands' China overture

ICE WORLD
Greenland ice crevasses escalate fueling further rise in sea levels

Arctic sea ice levels second lowest on record for January: US data

Ice streams move due to tiny ice quakes

Greenland glacier accelerates each day with weather and tide changes

ICE WORLD
Drying and rewetting cycles amplify soil CO2 emissions

Hong Kong scientists fight to save fragrant incense trees

French cognac exports to China slump as tariffs bite; Scottish whisky makers fear return of Trump tariffs

Study examines how African farmers are adapting to mountain climate change

ICE WORLD
Fresh quake barrage hits Greek island Santorini

'We're not afraid': Santorini residents brave tremors to stay put

Pain, anger as Turkey marks two years since quake disaster

Greek PM insists no danger from Santorini quake swarm

ICE WORLD
80 dead in southern Sudan violence: UN

Niger orders Red Cross to leave country

France to pull troops from I.Coast in February;Kenya urges DRC 'immediate ceasefire'

At least 56 killed as fighting grips Sudan's capital

ICE WORLD
New play takes on OpenAI drama and AI's existential questions

Trump signs order to get 'transgender ideology' out of military

How to Design Humane Autonomous Systems

Three million years ago our ancestors relied on plant-based diets

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.