Scientists from the University of Zurich have discovered that supraglacial lakes can significantly accelerate the disintegration of the Greenland ice sheet. According to their findings, when meltwater accumulating on the surface reaches a critical volume, it suddenly drains into the ice mass, speeding up its movement and triggering the calving of large icebergs.
Researchers observed such a process in July 2022 on the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier in western Greenland. After two lakes drained, the flow of meltwater reached the glacier’s base, causing it to rapidly accelerate. Within just two hours, 25 icebergs broke off from the glacier.
The authors of the study believe that as the climate warms, such events will become more frequent. The growth of supraglacial lakes could accelerate glacier melting and further contribute to rising global sea levels.
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