<p>The ice shelves of Greenland have seen a disappearance of more than a third in their volume since 1978, stated the researchers.<br />
<br />
The disintegration of the ice shelves has been accelerated because of warm ocean waters which have melted them from beneath and increased their chances of collapsing.<br />
<br />
Among the eight ice shelves which supported the vast glaciers of North Greenland, three have completely collapsed, while the five which remain have been retreating rapidly.<br />
<br />
Scientists have said that with the warming of the ocean, the ice shelves will continuously retreat and will have threatening consequences for global sea levels.</p>

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<p>As per experts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), if these ice shelves entirely disappear, they can release enough water to increase global sea levels by 6.8ft (2.1m).<br />
<br />
Speaking to CNN, the author of the study and a glaciologist at the Grenoble Alpes University in France Romain Millan said, “These glaciers are among the most important of the ice sheet. They are the largest glaciers of Greenland.”<br />
<br />
He stated that the glaciers in Greenland's different parts began to lose mass in the 1980s and 1990s, and so far those present in northern Greenland “have remained relatively stable.” As per the study, this, however, does not appear to be the case any longer.</p>

<h2><strong>Greenland overall lost 25 per cent of the ice sheet: Study</strong></h2>

<p>Thousands of satellite images, as well as measurements from the field and climate models, were used by Millan and his co-authors to get a better understanding of the historical and current changes being observed in the ice shelves.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Climate change no longer a distant threat, it's a stark reality</strong></p>

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<p>In the study, the scientists discovered a “substantial and widespread” increase in ice shelf disappearances.<br />
<br />
The researchers, headed by Romain Millan, wrote in Nature Communications, “Overall, 25 per cent of the ice sheet area is drained through former or remaining ice shelves, which represents a sea level rise equivalent of 2.1 m.”<br />
<br />
“If the glaciers located in North Greenland lose the buttressing provided by ice shelves, the increase in discharge could rival the largest contributors to Greenland ice mass loss,” they added.<br />
<br />
Since 1978, there has been a decrease of more than 35 per cent in the total volume of ice shelves which support the glaciers of northern Greenland, as per the study.<br />
<br />
“We can see that the ice shelves are weakening and that’s new key information that we didn’t know, because we thought that this part of Greenland was really stable,” Millan said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The ice shelves of Greenland have seen a disappearance of more than a third in their volume since 1978, stated the researchers. The disintegration of the ice shelves has been accelerated because of warm ocean waters which have melted them from beneath and increased their chances of collapsing.

The ice shelves of Greenland have seen a disappearance of more than a third in their volume since 1978, stated the researchers. The disintegration of the ice shelves has been accelerated because of warm ocean waters which have melted them from beneath and increased their chances of collapsing. Among the eight ice shelves which supported the vast glaciers of North Greenland, three have completely collapsed, while the five which remain have been retreating rapidly. Scientists have said that with the warming of the ocean, the ice shelves will continuously retreat and will have threatening consequences for global sea levels. ALSO READ | Luxury cruise ship remains grounded in Greenland with help days away As per experts from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), if these ice shelves entirely disappear, they can release enough water to increase global sea levels by 6.8ft (2.1m). Speaking to CNN, the author of the study and a glaciologist at the Grenoble Alpes University in France Romain Millan said, “These glaciers are among the most important of the ice sheet. They are the largest glaciers of Greenland.” He stated that the glaciers in Greenland's different parts began to lose mass in the 1980s and 1990s, and so far those present in northern Greenland “have remained relatively stable.” As per the study, this, however, does not appear to be the case any longer. Greenland overall lost 25 per cent of the ice sheet: Study Thousands of satellite images, as well as measurements from the field and climate models, were used by Millan and his co-authors to get a better understanding of the historical and current changes being observed in the ice shelves. Watch | Climate change no longer a distant threat, it's a stark reality In the study, the scientists discovered a “substantial and widespread” increase in ice shelf disappearances. The researchers, headed by Romain Millan, wrote in Nature Communications, “Overall, 25 per cent of the ice sheet area is drained through former or remaining ice shelves, which represents a sea level rise equivalent of 2.1 m.” “If the glaciers located in North Greenland lose the buttressing provided by ice shelves, the increase in discharge could rival the largest contributors to Greenland ice mass loss,” they added. Since 1978, there has been a decrease of more than 35 per cent in the total volume of ice shelves which support the glaciers of northern Greenland, as per the study. “We can see that the ice shelves are weakening and that’s new key information that we didn’t know, because we thought that this part of Greenland was really stable,” Millan said. (With inputs from agencies)

Three of eight ice shelves in Greenland have collapsed. It now only has five

<p>A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997. What is shocking is that nearly half of these ice shelves display "no signs of recovery" and that this phenomenon is closely linked to climate change.</p>

<p>The researchers' calculations indicate that between 1997 and 2021, the western part of Antarctica lost a staggering 67 trillion tonnes of ice, while the eastern side saw a gain of 59 trillion tonnes. However, the net outcome is a substantial ice loss of 7.5 trillion tonnes during this period.</p>

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<p>This imbalance is due to the influence of warm water in the western region causing ice melting, while the eastern area remains relatively stable or even gains ice due to colder water conditions, Guardian reported.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Impact on ocean currents</strong></h2>

<p>Ice shelves, situated at the terminus of glaciers, serve to impede the flow of glacial ice into the sea.</p>

<p>As these ice shelves shrink, they release larger volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the critical currents of the Southern Ocean.</p>

<p>This disruption has a far-reaching impact on ocean circulation, which can, in turn, affect global climate patterns.</p>

<p>Dr. Benjamin Davison, an Earth observation expert and the lead researcher, reportedly said, “There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica."</p>

<p>“The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of east Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Satellite-based research</strong></h2>

<p>The study used satellite technology to monitor annual changes in the ice, even during the long polar nights when clouds obscure observations. More than 100,000 images captured from space were analysed to assess the health of Antarctica's ice shelves, which are of global significance.</p>

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<p>The 67 trillion tonnes of freshwater released into the ocean over the 25-year period is not only a concerning sign of ice shelf instability but also has repercussions for the world's ocean currents, which are instrumental in transporting heat and nutrients globally.</p>

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<p>Davison said, “We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery.”</p>

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A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997.

A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Leeds has uncovered a concerning trend in Antarctica, where over 40 per cent of the ice shelves have significantly diminished since 1997. What is shocking is that nearly half of these ice shelves display "no signs of recovery" and that this phenomenon is closely linked to climate change. The researchers' calculations indicate that between 1997 and 2021, the western part of Antarctica lost a staggering 67 trillion tonnes of ice, while the eastern side saw a gain of 59 trillion tonnes. However, the net outcome is a substantial ice loss of 7.5 trillion tonnes during this period. Also Read | Human ancestor Neanderthals hunted Cave Lions as fierce fighters: Study This imbalance is due to the influence of warm water in the western region causing ice melting, while the eastern area remains relatively stable or even gains ice due to colder water conditions, Guardian reported. Impact on ocean currents Ice shelves, situated at the terminus of glaciers, serve to impede the flow of glacial ice into the sea. As these ice shelves shrink, they release larger volumes of freshwater into the ocean, which can disrupt the critical currents of the Southern Ocean. This disruption has a far-reaching impact on ocean circulation, which can, in turn, affect global climate patterns. Dr. Benjamin Davison, an Earth observation expert and the lead researcher, reportedly said, “There is a mixed picture of ice-shelf deterioration, and this is to do with the ocean temperature and ocean currents around Antarctica." “The western half is exposed to warm water, which can rapidly erode the ice shelves from below, whereas much of east Antarctica is currently protected from nearby warm water by a band of cold water at the coast," he added. Satellite-based research The study used satellite technology to monitor annual changes in the ice, even during the long polar nights when clouds obscure observations. More than 100,000 images captured from space were analysed to assess the health of Antarctica's ice shelves, which are of global significance. Also Read | Researchers 'virtually unwrap' ancient scrolls charred by Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD The 67 trillion tonnes of freshwater released into the ocean over the 25-year period is not only a concerning sign of ice shelf instability but also has repercussions for the world's ocean currents, which are instrumental in transporting heat and nutrients globally. Watch | Israel-Palestine War: Iran denies role in Hamas attack on Israel × Davison said, “We expected most ice shelves to go through cycles of rapid, but short-lived shrinking, then to regrow slowly. Instead, we see that almost half of them are shrinking with no sign of recovery.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Over 7.5 trillion tonnes decline in Antarctica's ice shelves since 1997, half show 'no sign of recovery'

What happens when the ice shelves start melting rapidly and how will this impact the world around us? Ice shelves are permanent floating extensions of an ice sheet connected to a land mass.

WION Climate Tracker: Ice shelves connect floating sheets to land mass

When a glacier collapsed in Eastern Antarctica last month due to global warming it triggered an alarm around the world. A recent study has shown that the atmospheric rivers are causing extreme temperatures, surface melt and sea ice disintegrations

Long-lasting effects of Global Warming: Atmospheric rivers destabilising ice shelves

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