A new study has found that the Greenland ice sheet—the world’s second-largest ice mass—is fracturing at an unprecedented rate due to climate change.
Researchers analyzed 8,000 high-resolution 3D surface maps from satellite imagery to track changes in ice cracks between 2016 and 2021. Their findings revealed that crevasses—deep, wedge-shaped fractures in glaciers—have grown significantly in size and depth over just five years, at a pace much faster than previously observed.
Dr. Tom Chudley, an assistant geography professor at Durham University and the study’s lead author, expressed surprise at the rapid changes, noting that earlier research documented similar transformations over decades, whereas this study shows them occurring within just five years.
Since 1992, Greenland’s ice loss has contributed approximately 14mm to global sea level rise. Scientists attribute this to increased melting due to higher temperatures and the faster movement of ice into the ocean, both driven by climate change.
Dr. Chudley emphasized that the formation of crevasses is closely linked to the ice sheet’s accelerating movement, which has been significantly increasing since the 1990s, largely due to ocean warming.
The study’s use of high-resolution mapping could enhance future research and improve predictions of sea level rise. Chudley pointed out that many large-scale models struggle to account for “dynamic instabilities”—factors influencing glacier movement—which could lead to up to a meter of sea level rise by 2100 and as much as 10 meters by 2300.
He stressed the urgent need for better forecasting of sea level rise to help plan, mitigate, and adapt to the long-term consequences of climate change.
The findings of this study underscore the accelerating impact of climate change on the Greenland ice sheet and its potential consequences for global sea levels. As ice loss continues to increase at an alarming rate, scientists warn that coastal communities worldwide face growing risks of flooding, erosion, and habitat loss.
Greenland’s ice sheet holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by more than seven meters if it were to melt entirely. While such a scenario would unfold over centuries, the current rate of ice loss is already having measurable effects. The 14mm rise in sea levels attributed to Greenland since 1992 may seem small, but when combined with contributions from Antarctica and other melting glaciers, the cumulative effect threatens low-lying cities, islands, and infrastructure.
A key concern is that rising ocean temperatures are accelerating both surface melting and the flow of glaciers into the sea. Warmer water weakens the ice at its base, making it more prone to breaking apart, while increasing air temperatures further destabilize the ice sheet. This dual effect amplifies the risk of sudden and unpredictable shifts in ice dynamics, leading to potentially dramatic sea level increases.
The rapid expansion of crevasses is particularly concerning because these fractures can speed up ice sheet disintegration. As cracks grow deeper, they allow more meltwater to seep in, further lubricating the ice sheet’s base and hastening its movement toward the ocean. This process, known as “hydrofracturing,” has already been observed in parts of Greenland and Antarctica, and it plays a crucial role in destabilizing massive ice structures.
Dr. Chudley and his team believe that monitoring crevasse formation with high-resolution satellite imagery can help refine existing climate models, making them better at predicting how and when large sections of ice may break away. By incorporating this new data, scientists hope to improve projections of future sea level rise, which remain uncertain due to complex ice dynamics.
The study’s findings reinforce the urgent need for stronger climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. The Paris Agreement aims to keep temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, but current trends suggest
