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Accelerating ice flow at the onset of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream

Author

Listed:
  • Aslak Grinsted

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Christine S. Hvidberg

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • David A. Lilien

    (University of Manitoba)

  • Nicholas M. Rathmann

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Nanna B. Karlsson

    (Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland)

  • Tamara Gerber

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Helle Astrid Kjær

    (University of Copenhagen)

  • Paul Vallelonga

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Dorthe Dahl-Jensen

    (University of Copenhagen
    University of Manitoba)

Abstract

Mass loss near the ice-sheet margin is evident from remote sensing as frontal retreat and increases in ice velocities. Velocities in the ice sheet interior are orders of magnitude smaller, making it challenging to detect velocity change. Here, we analyze a 35-year record of remotely sensed velocities, and a 6-year record of repeated GPS observations, at the East Greenland Ice-core Project (EastGRIP), located in the middle of the Northeast-Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS). We find that the shear margins of NEGIS are accelerating, indicating a widening of the ice stream. We demonstrate that the widening of the ice stream is unlikely to be a response to recent changes at the outlets of NEGIS. Modelling indicates that the observed spatial fingerprint of acceleration is more consistent with a softening of the shear margin, e.g. due to evolving fabric or temperature, than a response to external forcing at the surface or bed.

Suggested Citation

  • Aslak Grinsted & Christine S. Hvidberg & David A. Lilien & Nicholas M. Rathmann & Nanna B. Karlsson & Tamara Gerber & Helle Astrid Kjær & Paul Vallelonga & Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, 2022. "Accelerating ice flow at the onset of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-4, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32999-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32999-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicolaj K. Larsen & Laura B. Levy & Anders E. Carlson & Christo Buizert & Jesper Olsen & Astrid Strunk & Anders A. Bjørk & Daniel S. Skov, 2018. "Instability of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream over the last 45,000 years," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Shfaqat A. Khan & Kurt H. Kjær & Michael Bevis & Jonathan L. Bamber & John Wahr & Kristian K. Kjeldsen & Anders A. Bjørk & Niels J. Korsgaard & Leigh A. Stearns & Michiel R. van den Broeke & Lin Liu &, 2014. "Sustained mass loss of the northeast Greenland ice sheet triggered by regional warming," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 4(4), pages 292-299, April.
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