NASA | Measuring Elevation Changes on the Greenland Ice Sheet

The Greenland ice sheet, covering a significant portion of the country, has the potential to raise global sea levels by 7.2 meters if it melts completely. NASA has been monitoring changes in the ice sheet since the late 1970s using satellites and airborne missions. Recent data shows varying patterns of ice thickening and thinning, influenced by bedrock topography and climate change. The Jakobshavn glacier has experienced significant mass loss due to increased calving and melting. Future missions aim to improve our understanding of these changes and their impact on global sea levels.

What factors contribute to the thinning of the Greenland ice sheet, particularly in coastal regions?

How might the future NASA missions, such as Icesat 2, enhance our understanding of the ice sheets' response to climate change?