Icy Lakes in Greenland Drain into the Ocean – Scientific American
Article Synopsis – Aquifers in the Greenland ice sheet are channeling meltwater back into the ocean, new research indicates. These ‘firn aquifers’ comprise water pockets the size of Lake Tahoe and are embedded in the glacier’s surface. The water enters crevasses—fractures that run all the way to the base of the ice sheet, which is a thousand meters thick—and then escapes into the ocean. The study helps create more accurate models to predict ice sheet melt rates. It also underscores the need to protect coastal areas from sea-level rise. To read the actual article click here.