"Rapid Glacier Retreat in Greenland Uncovered by Satellite Data and Century-Old Images"
Scientists have analyzed the movement of over 1,000 peripheral glaciers in Greenland using a combination of satellite imagery and historical aerial photographs dating back to 1890. The study reveals that the rate of retreat for these peripheral glaciers has doubled in the last 20 years. While peripheral glaciers only cover 4% of Greenland's ice-covered area, they contribute to 14% of the island's current ice loss. These smaller ice masses are an important factor in global sea level rise, accounting for approximately 21% of observed sea level rise over the past two decades. The discovery of the archive of old photographs has provided valuable long-term records for studying Greenland-wide glacier response to climate change over more than a century.