Greenland’s glaciers are melting 100 times faster than previously thought, according to a new model that takes into account the unique interaction between ice and water in the island’s fjords. A new mathematical representation of the drivers of glacier melt in recent observations of how ice is eaten away from severe vertical surfaces at the ends of glaciers in Greenland. Previously, scientists used the developed models. AntarcticaWhere glacial tongues float on sea water is a completely different place.

“For years, people took the melting rate model for Antarctic floating ice, and they used it. Greenland. vertical fronts of glaciers”, – leading author Kirstin SchultzA researcher at the Oden Institute of Computing and Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin says: expressions. “But there is growing evidence that the traditional approach leads to very low melting rates on the vertical fronts of Greenland glaciers.”

Researchers already knew that their understanding of Arctic glaciers based on Antarctica was not perfect. But getting close to the edges of Greenland’s glaciers is difficult because they are found at the ends of fjords—long, narrow seawater inlets surrounded by high cliffs—where warm water erodes the ice. According to the researchers, this leads to dramatic events where building-size chunks of ice enter the water without warning, creating mini tsunamis.

Researchers under the guidance of a physical oceanographer rebecca jackson Rutgers University used robotic boats to approach and measure these dangerous ice cliffs. They did it at LeComte Glacier in Alaska and Kangerlussoup Sermia in Greenland. (An upcoming mission led by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin is using robotic underwater vehicles. three glaciers in western Greenland.) Jackon’s measurements show that Antarctic models have significantly underestimated the melting of the Arctic ice sheet. LeConte, for example, is disappearing 100 times faster than models predicted.

The mix of cold freshwater from glaciers and warmer seawater drives ocean circulation further near the glaciers and into the ocean, meaning melting has far-reaching consequences. The Greenland Ice Sheet is also important for sea level rise; Greenland ice contains enough water to raise sea levels by 20 feet (6 meters).

The new model uses the latest data from missions near glaciers and a more realistic understanding of how the steep, rock-like surfaces of glaciers affect ice loss. The results are consistent with Jackson’s findings, which showed 100 times more melting than previous models predicted.

“Ocean climate model outputs are very relevant to humanity for predicting climate change trends, so you really want to get them right,” Schultz said. “This was a very important step in improving climate models.”