21st-Century Evolution of Greenland Outlet Glacier Velocities
Edited: 2012-05-16
| Title | 21st-Century Evolution of Greenland Outlet Glacier Velocities |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2012 |
| Authors | Moon, T., I. Joughin, B. Smith, and I. Howat |
| Journal | Science |
| Volume | 336 |
| Issue | 6081 |
| Pagination | 576 - 578 |
| Date Published | 05/2012 |
| ISSN | 1095-9203 |
| Keywords | climate, ice, sea_level |
| Abstract | Earlier observations on several of Greenland’s outlet glaciers, starting near the turn of the 21st century, indicated rapid (annual-scale) and large (>100%) increases in glacier velocity. Combining data from several satellites, we produce a decade-long (2000 to 2010) record documenting the ongoing velocity evolution of nearly all (200+) of Greenland’s major outlet glaciers, revealing complex spatial and temporal patterns. Changes on fast-flow marine-terminating glaciers contrast with steady velocities on ice-shelf–terminating glaciers and slow speeds on land-terminating glaciers. Regionally, glaciers in the northwest accelerated steadily, with more variability in the southeast and relatively steady flow elsewhere. Intraregional variability shows a complex response to regional and local forcing. Observed acceleration indicates that sea level rise from Greenland may fall well below proposed upper bounds. |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1219985 |
| Short Title | Science |