Central OC Times

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have made a groundbreaking discovery regarding the accelerated melting under Greenland's glaciers. According to a recent article from Geophysical Research Letters, the team's findings suggest that warm ocean water intruding beneath the ice is causing the glaciers to melt at a much faster rate than previously estimated.

Lead author Ratnakar Gadi, a UCI Ph.D. candidate in Earth system science, highlighted the significant impact of their research, stating, "By factoring this migration into the MIT numerical ocean model, we were able to estimate roughly 140 meters [460 feet] of thinning of the ice between 2000 and 2020." The study revealed that the melt rate has increased from about 3 meters per year in the 1990s to 10 meters per year in the 2020s.

Senior co-author Eric Rignot, UCI professor of Earth system science, emphasized the importance of their findings, stating, "Seawater rises and falls with changes in oceanic tides in that zone and melts grounded ice from below vigorously." The researchers noted that the elongated shape of the grounding zone cavity plays a major role in the accelerated ice melting, with changes in grounding zone lengths significantly increasing melt rates.

Rignot further highlighted the implications of their research on future sea level rise projections, stating, "Earlier numerical studies indicated that including melt in the grounding zone would double the projections of glacier mass loss. The modeling work in this study confirms these fears."

The study, conducted in collaboration with NASA's Cryospheric Sciences Program, sheds light on the complex interactions between ice, seawater, and land in a changing climate. The researchers' work underscores the urgent need for improved ice sheet modeling to accurately predict the severity of future sea level rise.

The University of California, Irvine's Brilliant Future campaign, aimed at raising awareness and support for the university, plays a vital role in advancing research initiatives such as this groundbreaking study. Founded in 1965, UCI continues to be a leader in academic achievement, research, and innovation, contributing significantly to scientific advancements.

For more information on the study and the researchers involved, visit the University of California, Irvine's website at www.uci.edu.