Sea level rise predictions may be too high: Greenland study
Sea-level rise predictions may be too high, according to international research which measured the meltwater runoff from ice in Greenland. Scientists found that less meltwater flows through the ice sheet, and to the ocean, than previously estimated as some is retained in porous ice. Greenland is losing an average of 260 billion tonnes of ice each year, which would lead to sea level rises of two inches by the end of the century. Additional research will now try to determine the amount of water retained within the ice.

Feeder streams 300 FEET Darker ice Snow covering an old channel This river drains an area of about 24 square miles Collector lake Researcher’s camp Here the river is about 60 feet wide and up to 6 feet deep. Moulin Feeder streams 300 FEET Darker ice Snow sometimes covers old channels. This river drains an area of about 24 square miles Collector lake Researcher’s camp Here the river is about 60 feet wide and up to 6 feet deep. Moulin 300 feet wide This river drains an area of about 24 miles Collector lake About 60 feet wide and up to 6 feet deep. Moulin

On Greenland’s vast ice sheet, meltwater flows in rivulets as sunlight and warm air heat the surface ice.

Surface variations create thousands of low-lying areas where meltwater collects and eventually drains.

The rivulets drain into larger rivers that carve natural paths across the ice sheet.

Over years, impurities in the ice become concentrated, making it darker. Those areas absorb more sunlight, causing more melting.

Underneath the surface, the ice develops holes, like swiss cheese.

This river reached a large depression in the ice and formed a lake.

The lake fed another fast-moving river on the opposite side.

That river disappeared down a hole in the ice, called a moulin.

Sea level rise depends on how much water drains from the ice sheet into the ocean, and how fast.

New research suggests that more of the water may be trapped inside the ice sheet than previously thought.

On Greenland’s vast ice sheet, meltwater flows in rivulets as sunlight and warm air heat the surface ice.

Surface variations create thousands of low-lying areas where meltwater collects and drains.

The rivulets drain to larger rivers that carve natural paths across the ice sheet.

Over years, impurities in the ice become concentrated, making it darker. Those areas absorb more heat, and cause greater melting.

This river reached a depression in the ice and formed a lake, which fed another river on the opposite side.

That river disappeared down a hole in the ice, called a moulin.

Sea level rise depends on how much water drains from the ice sheet into the ocean. New research suggests there may be more water trapped in the ice than previously thought.