Patterns and Possible Drivers of Rapid Glacier Change Around Greenland

Over the last decade a significant number of large outlet glaciers draining the Greenland Ice Sheet have accelerated, thinned, and in many cases the glacier termini have retreated. These changes have dramatically increased the flux of ice into the ocean. The character and timing of changes in these glaciers have much in common, including indications that the changes originate at the glacier terminus where ice meets sea water in the fjord, with subsequent inland propagation.

We will describe the character and timing of changes observed in several glaciers around Greenland. A number of possible causes for these changes have been suggested, ranging from increased ocean temperatures to increased surface melt; we will briefly review patterns of changing conditions around Greenland and how they relate to the changes in glacier flow and mass loss.