Ice-marginal proglacial lakes across Greenland: Present status and a possible future

Jonathan L. Carrivick, Penelope How, James M. Lea, Jenna L. Sutherland, Michael Grimes, Fiona S. Tweed, Stephen Cornford, Duncan J. Quincey, Joseph Mallalieu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ice-marginal lakes can affect glacier dynamics but are ignored in studies of the evolution of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) and of peripheral mountain glaciers and ice caps (PGICs). Here we show that lakes occupy 10% of the GrIS ice margin and occur on 5% of PGICs. Ice velocity at the GrIS margin is enhanced by ∼ 25% at lakes versus on land. Mean ice discharge into lakes is ∼4.9 Gt.yr, which is ∼1% of ice discharged through marine termini. We locate thousands of subglacial overdeepenings within which 7,404 km2 of future lakes could form, all of which will be ice-marginal at some time. Future lakes in the west and east will be restricted to the margin of the GrIS and within alpine valleys, respectively. This status and possible future leads us to contend that lakes should be incorporated into projections of Greenland ice loss.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2022GL099276
Number of pages9
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume49
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jun 2022

Keywords

  • glacier
  • Greenland
  • ice sheet
  • lake
  • meltwater
  • proglacial

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 5: Nature and Climate

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