Milne Fiord's freshwater layer vanishes, ending a 4,000-year Arctic era
Canada's final epishelf lake, a rare freshwater layer floating on saltwater in Milne Fiord, has permanently disappeared. The loss was triggered by the 2020 collapse of the Milne Ice Shelf, which acted as a dam for the lake. A new study confirms the freshwater drained within months, destroying a unique dual-ecosystem that had existed for 4,000 years. Scientists warn that such systems are unlikely to return under current climate conditions.
