Unveiling the Mystery Within Greenland’s Ice Sheet
Deep beneath Greenland’s vast ice sheet lies an intriguing phenomenon that has perplexed scientists for over a decade. Using mathematical models akin to those employed in studying continental drift, researchers from the University of Bergen have proposed a groundbreaking explanation for these enigmatic formations.
The Role of Thermal Convection
The new study suggests that the peculiar plume-like structures are the result of thermal convection. This process involves the slow circulation of ice due to temperature differences between its deeper and shallower layers—a concept generally associated with the Earth’s mantle rather than ice.
“We typically think of ice as a solid material, so the discovery that parts of the Greenland ice sheet actually undergo thermal convection, resembling a boiling pot of pasta, is as wild as it is fascinating,” stated Andreas Born, a professor at the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research and the Department of Earth Science at the University of Bergen.
The “Freak of Nature” Phenomenon
Although the notion of convection within an ice sheet might seem counterintuitive, it becomes plausible when considering the properties of ice. Robert Law, a glaciologist and lead author of the study, remarked, “Finding that thermal convection can happen within an ice sheet goes slightly against our intuition and expectations. Ice is at least a million times softer than the Earth’s mantle, though, so the physics just work out. It’s like an exciting freak of nature.”
This research, published in The Cryosphere, was selected as a ‘highlight paper’ due to its scientific significance.
Implications for Future Predictions
According to Born, understanding these formations could refine predictions about the Greenland ice sheet’s future behavior. “Our discovery could be key to reducing uncertainties in models of future ice sheet mass balance and sea-level rise,” he explained.
The study also reveals that ice deep within northern Greenland may be roughly ten times softer than previously estimated. However, this does not necessarily imply accelerated melting or increased sea-level rise.
“Improving our understanding of ice physics is a really major way to be more certain about the future,” Law commented, “but on its own, softer ice does not necessarily mean that the ice will melt faster or that sea level rise will be higher. We need further studies to fully isolate that.”
Understanding Greenland’s Unique Ice Sheet
Despite Greenland frequently appearing in global headlines due to climate change and other issues, the study underscores the complexity and dynamism of its ice sheet. Law emphasized, “Greenland and its nature is truly special. The ice sheet there is over one thousand years old, and it’s the only ice sheet on Earth to have a culture and permanent population at its margins.”
The more scientists learn about the processes within the ice, the better prepared they will be for future changes affecting global coastlines.
Collaborative Research Effort
This study was a collaborative effort involving researchers from the University of Bergen, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the University of Oxford, and ETH Zurich. The team investigated whether the plume-like structures within the Greenland ice sheet could be explained by thermal convection, shedding light on the ice’s softness and movement.
By revealing that deep ice in northern Greenland could be significantly softer than initially believed, the findings may help improve projections of future sea-level changes.
Original Story at www.sciencedaily.com