Key Points
- Greenland glaciers shrank for 30th consecutive year
- 173 billion tons of ice lost in the last year
- Ice melt threatens sea levels and ocean currents
By the Numbers
Greenland's ice sheet recorded shrinkage for the 30th year in a row. The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) announced this data on Tuesday. The glaciers have been shrinking continuously since the 1995-1996 melt year.
In the last melt year (September-August period), the glaciers lost approximately 173 billion tons of ice. This amount is well below the 458 billion tons recorded in the record year 2012. Experts describe this trend as a "climate signal" and emphasize it is not a short-term fluctuation.
Ice melt is raising global sea levels. Additionally, the freshwater discharge from glaciers could affect the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This current warms Northern Europe. Scientists predict ice loss will continue as long as the warming trend persists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened to Greenland's glaciers?
- Glaciers shrank for the 30th consecutive year, losing 173 billion tons of ice in the last melt year.
- Why is this situation important?
- Ice melt is raising global sea levels and could affect the AMOC ocean current.
- Will this trend stop?
- Scientists predict ice loss will continue as long as global warming persists.
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