"I'm Afraid the Earth Will Be Submerged in Water"…Greenland Glacier Is Melting Away

410 Tons Melted from July 28 to August 1... Enough to Cover Entire Florida by 5cm
Changes in Ocean Currents "Increase Risk of Losing Balance"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Greenland ice sheet is melting rapidly. This is due to the recent record-breaking heatwaves caused by global warming. In particular, an analysis revealed that from July 28 to August 1, an average of 8 billion tons (t) of ice melted daily, totaling 410 billion tons of ice melted during this period.

On the 5th (local time), the Washington Post (WP) cited the announcement from the Danish research group 'Polar Portal,' which has been tracking the Greenland ice sheet, reporting that ice equivalent to a 5cm layer covering the state of Florida in the United States disappeared between July 28 and August 1. The research group stated that on July 28 alone, the most ice has melted in a single day since 1950.

The recent rate of Greenland ice melt is about twice the average level. Lauren Andrews, a glaciologist at NASA, explained, "Large-scale sea ice melt is being observed more frequently," adding, "Although slower than the day in 2019 when 10 billion tons of ice melted in one day, the extent of melting is spreading widely along the northern and western coasts."

Concerns about rising sea levels continue to grow. The Danish Meteorological Institute analyzed that this year's ice melt has caused a 0.1mm rise in the global sea level.

Martin Stendel, a researcher at the Danish Meteorological Institute, stated, "As the ice melts, the height of the ice layer decreases, making it easier for the ice to melt further," and predicted, "Even if greenhouse gas emissions were stopped immediately, sea levels will continue to rise for hundreds of years."

Additionally, ocean currents are changing rapidly. According to the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany, on the 5th, an analysis based on ocean temperature and salinity data accumulated over the past century confirmed eight indirect indicators that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which affects the climate, is weakening.

Nicklas Boers, a researcher at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, explained, "The confirmed indicators mean that the AMOC energy is weakening, increasing the risk of imbalance." He added, "Freshwater from melting glaciers lowers the salinity of North Atlantic seawater, which could lead to the collapse of the entire AMOC."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

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