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Publication - Large and rapid melt-induced velocity changes in the ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet

“van de Wal, R.S.W., Boot, W., et al., 2008. Large and rapid melt-induced velocity changes in the ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet. science 321 (5885), 111-113”
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Abstract

Continuous Global Positioning System observations reveal rapid and large ice velocity fluctuations in the western ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Within days, ice velocity reacts to increased meltwater production and increases by a factor of 4. Such a response is much stronger and much faster than previously reported. Over a longer period of 17 years, annual ice velocities have decreased slightly, which suggests that the englacial hydraulic system adjusts constantly to the variable meltwater input, which results in a more or less constant ice flux over the years. The positive-feedback mechanism between melt rate and ice velocity appears to be a seasonal process that may have only a limited effect on the response of the ice sheet to climate warming over the next decades.

Authors

NameOrganization
Roderik van de WalUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)
W. BootUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)
Michiel van den BroekeUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)
Paul SmeetsUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)
Carleen Tijm-ReijmerUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)
Jasper DonkerUtrecht University, Faculty of Geosciences (UU)
J. OerlemansUtrecht University, Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU)

Datasets

TitleStart dateEnd date
Seasonal and Inter-annual Fluctuations of Ice Velocities on Five Svalbard Glaciers2006-04-012011-04-01

Projects

TitleFunding idPeriod
The Dynamic Response of Arctic Glaciers to Global Warming851.40.0402006-08-01 - 2010-10-31