Rapidly accelerating glacier melt in Alaska
Scientists at Newcastle University led by Prof. Bethan Davies found alarming glacier melt acceleration on the Alaskan Juneau Icefield. Ice loss doubled from 2010 to 2020, with 108 glaciers disappearing. Historical data integration is crucial for accurate future glacier melt projections.
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Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered alarming results regarding the rapidly accelerating glacier melt on the Alaskan Juneau Icefield. The research, led by Professor Bethan Davies, reveals that the rate of glacial retreat has been increasing significantly over the past decade, with ice loss doubling from 2010 to 2020. The study, spanning 250 years of data, shows that the icefield is losing nearly 6 km3 of glacier volume per year, leading to the disappearance of 108 glaciers and thinning across the plateau since 2005. The impact of a lowering albedo, which accelerates glacier melt, has been a key factor in this process. The findings suggest that current glacier projections may underestimate future ice melt, emphasizing the need to update models to reflect the accelerating changes. The research, funded by various organizations, highlights the importance of integrating historical data into future simulations to better anticipate and evaluate the accelerating behaviors of glacier melt. Prof Davies emphasizes the urgency of understanding these processes to assess the current ice melt, project future scenarios, and determine the threshold of recovery.
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