Greenland's Jakobshavn glacier is melting faster than ever
Jakobshavn Isbrae in Greenland has exhibited some of the fastest flow rates ever recorded for an outlet glacier, with peak velocities exceeding 17km per year during acceleration phases.
This rapid pace is thanks to warming Atlantic waters melting its underside, which makes the glacier less stable and sends more ice into the ocean—raising concerns about rising sea levels worldwide.
Glaciologist Ian Joughin explains the impact of warm water
Jakobshavn is extra sensitive to ocean temperature changes because its base sits below sea level, letting warm water sneak underneath and speed up melting.
As glaciologist Ian Joughin puts it, when warm water gets under the floating ice, "When warm water penetrates beneath the floating ice tongue, it destabilizes the terminus and allows inland ice to flow more rapidly toward the sea."
NASA and European satellites are keeping close tabs on these changes to help scientists predict what this means for our future coastlines.