Mapping unexplored areas in Greenland could provide new insights into ice-melting
A recent study published in the scientific journal Nature shows that the world's glaciers are melting at an accelerating rate. Between 2012 and 2023, the world's glaciers lost about 36 per cent more ice compared to the previous decade—a trend that exceeds previous projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Against this background, researchers from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), in collaboration with Stockholm University (SU), made a significant discovery during the GEOEO expedition to the Victoria Fjord in Greenland.
No natural barrier to the Atlantic Ocean
Ice thresholds below the sea surface can act as protective barriers, hindering warm Atlantic water from melting the ice. An example of this is the Ryder Glaciere, one of the major glaciers in northern Greenland.
- One of the main aims of the expedition was to investigate whether a similar structure existed in the Victoria Fjord. We wanted to find out if there was an underwater sill that could act as a barrier to the Atlantic Ocean and slow down the melting of ice, says Peter Sigray, researcher at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and director of SMaRC (Swedish Maritime Robotics Centre).
The plan was to use the three-metre-long underwater robot LoLo (Long Distance Long Range) to map any ice barriers below the surface. Once in the Victoria Fjord, it turned out that part of the glacier, the floating ice tongue, had collapsed and blocked the planned approach. This prevented the research vessel Oden from reaching the edge of the glacier, thus using LoLo as planned. The research team then adapted its strategy: the most critical sensors from LoLo were mounted in a cage and transported over the collapsed ice mass by helicopter.
Important discovery about the future of the glacier
Through this method, the researchers were able to establish that the Victoria Fjord lacks the underwater threshold that would otherwise have prevented the warm Atlantic water from flowing in. The discovery adds a new piece to the puzzle of understanding glacier dynamics, as the area has never been explored before.
- This discovery gives us a deeper understanding of the complex processes that control ice melting in Greenland. It allows for more accurate modelling estimates of melting and hence more accurate predictions of future climate change and sea level change, says Peter.
Customized research methodology led to important results
Despite the logistical challenges, the researchers were able to make crucial measurements. Postdoc Clemens Deutsch and research engineer Niklas Rollerberg used the LoLo sensors to collect the necessary data, and the alternative measurement method proved to be very successful.
- We are extremely proud of Clemens and Niklas expertise and quick thinking when it came to adapting to the new conditions. Thanks to their efforts, we got the knowledge we were looking for, concludes Peter Sigray.