2007/02/09 by Ian M. Howat, Ian Joughin, T. A. Scambos · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Cryospheric studies and observations #Landslides and related hazards #Climate change and permafrost
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1138478
openalex publication_date 2007/02/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Using satellite-derived surface elevation and velocity data, we found major short-term variations in recent ice discharge and mass loss at two of Greenland's largest outlet glaciers. Their combined rate of mass loss doubled in less than a year in 2004 and then decreased in 2006 to near the previous rates, likely as a result of fast re-equilibration of calving-front geometry after retreat. Total mass loss is a fraction of concurrent gravity-derived estimates, pointing to an alternative source of loss and the need for high-resolution observations of outlet dynamics and glacier geometry for sea-level rise predictions.