[Rockhounds] Massive glacial outburst observed in Greenland for the first time

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

For the first time, scientists have observed a massive glacial lake
outburst in real-time in East Greenland.

This rare event, captured by researchers from the University of Copenhagen,
involved the release of over 3,000 billion liters of meltwater – equivalent
to three times Denmark’s annual water consumption – over just a few weeks.

The outburst provides critical insights into the immense power of meltwater
and its potential hazards.

Between September 23 and October 11, the lake’s water level plummeted by
154 meters. For the first time, scientists used satellite imagery to
monitor and measure the event in real time.

“We have previously found traces of similar outburst floods, but due to
polar night and clouds obstructing the potential for satellite
observations, this is the first time that researchers have been able to
monitor an event and measure the water volumes in real time,” explained
Aslak Grinsted, a climate researcher from the Niels Bohr Institute
<https://nbi.ku.dk/english/>.

https://www.earth.com/news/massive-glacial-outburst-observed-in-greenland-for-the-first-time/