Glacier-edge lakes accelerate Greenland ice loss, study finds

A new satellite-based study from the University of Leeds shows meltwater lakes forming at the ends of retreating Greenland glaciers (ice-marginal lakes, IMLs) actively speed up ice loss by lifting glacier fronts, reducing friction, and increasing calving, with fronts up to about three times faster and effects measurable up to 3.5 km inland. The finding implies current ice-sheet models should include IMLs to better project Greenland’s contribution to future sea level rise, alongside ongoing warming that already drives about 0.8 mm/year of sea-level rise and substantial ice loss.