Podcast Summary
Studying the Effects of Climate Change on Glacier Movement in Greenland: Glaciologist Jessica Mejia and her team study the impact of climate change on Greenland's glaciers, focusing on both surface melting and its effect on glacier sliding speed into the ocean, potentially leading to increased sea level rise.
Glaciologist Jessica Mejia and her team venture to the Greenland ice sheet, a vast, frigid landscape where they study the effects of climate change on glacier movement. Reaching this remote location requires a helicopter ride, and once there, they establish a camp amidst the icy wilderness. Despite the inhospitable conditions, their research is crucial as melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels. However, the team's work isn't just about monitoring surface melting. They're also investigating how faster surface melting might impact the glaciers' sliding speed into the ocean, potentially leading to even greater sea level rise. Despite the simplicity of their tools, the stakes are high, as the findings could significantly impact coastal communities worldwide.
Using ice fishing equipment for glacier research: Ice fishing tools like ultrasonic sensors, Doppler devices, and weather stations can be repurposed for glacier research despite the limited market for specialized equipment.
Understanding how glaciers move and their speed is crucial for various reasons, yet the market for specialized glacier instruments is limited due to its niche nature. Instead, equipment designed for ice fishing, such as ultrasonic water sensors, Doppler devices, and weather stations, can be effectively used for glacier research. However, not all tools work perfectly, like the failed attempt to attach a GoPro to a mullein in Greenland. Glaciers mainly move in two ways: by sliding over the bedrock or by a process called creep, where the ice deforms under its own weight. These movements have significant implications for people around the world, including understanding the impact on sea levels, infrastructure, and ecosystems. So, while the market for glacier research tools may be small, the importance of this research is vast.
Understanding Glacier Movement: Internal Deformation and Sliding: Glacier movement in Greenland results from both internal deformation and sliding. While internal deformation is predictable, sliding, influenced by melting and moulins, remains uncertain.
Glaciers in Greenland move due to both internal deformation and sliding. The internal deformation occurs when the glacier's own weight causes it to crush and stretch, while sliding happens when the ice moves along the bed. However, the rate and extent of sliding are uncertain due to the melting at the surface and the formation of moulins. Moulins are cracks in the glacier that reach the bed and act as funnels for surface water, which can lubricate the bed and control the ice's sliding speed. The number and size of these moulins, as well as the rate at which they drain surface water, can vary significantly. Therefore, researchers are focusing on understanding the relationship between melting and sliding to better predict the behavior and movement of these glaciers.
Measuring Drainage Systems Under Melting Glaciers: Researchers measure ice and snow melt, water flow, and monitor water levels and ice movement to understand complex drainage systems beneath melting glaciers. Climate change is causing an increase in melting rates, leading to sea level rise and other implications.
Understanding the complex drainage systems beneath melting glaciers is a challenging task. Researchers measure ice and snow melt, water flow into rivers, and monitor water levels and ice movement using GPS stations. By focusing on smaller catchment areas, they can gather data to infer the structure of the drainage system beneath the glacier. With climate change causing an increase in melting rates, researchers are finding that glaciers have been losing mass since the 1990s, and this trend is expected to continue throughout the century, leading to sea level rise and other implications for the rest of us. Satellite data shows that glaciers have been melting faster in recent decades, and even if carbon emissions are reduced, significant melting is still expected.
Impact of meltwater on glacier sliding varies: Steep glaciers resist acceleration from meltwater, but large ice sheets like Greenland's behavior is unclear, with potential for increased meltwater to accelerate movement, impacting sea level rise predictions
The impact of increased meltwater on glacier sliding varies greatly depending on the location. In steep mountain glaciers, additional meltwater can't accelerate sliding due to efficient subglacial drainage systems. However, in large ice sheets like Greenland, the situation is unclear, and meltwater might actually accelerate glacier movement, making accurate predictions crucial for effective mitigation strategies. Recently, unprecedented rainfall in Greenland's interior further highlights the rapid changes occurring there. These shifts can significantly affect future sea level rise predictions, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research to refine our understanding and models.
New research on melting glaciers improves sea level rise estimates: New findings on glacier melting provide more accurate sea level rise predictions, essential for coastal communities planning infrastructure and relocations, especially those at risk within the next few decades.
New research on how melting affects the movement of glaciers can provide more accurate estimates of sea level rise, which is crucial for coastal communities planning infrastructure and relocations. The melting of ice sheets, such as in Greenland, is a significant contributor to sea level rise and will continue to do so for decades. This information is essential for policymakers and scientists to work together to develop effective mitigation strategies. The precision of these estimates is particularly important for communities that will be most affected by sea level rise within the next few decades. The vastness and ongoing nature of the melting process can be overwhelming, but the importance of understanding these systems for future planning and equality keeps researchers motivated. Better communication and collaboration between scientists and policymakers are necessary to ensure that resources are distributed fairly and effectively. Ultimately, the goal is to make the best impact on mitigating the effects of sea level rise on communities around the world.
The Power of Teamwork in Podcast Production: NPR's Shortwave podcast succeeds through collaboration between a dedicated team and sponsors, highlighting the importance of teamwork and partnerships in producing high-quality content.
Learning from this episode of Shortwave from NPR is the importance of collaboration and teamwork in producing high-quality content. The podcast is brought to you by a dedicated team, including Burleigh McCoy as the producer, Giselle Grayson and Gabriel Spitzer as editors, Britt Hanson as the fact checker, and Josh Newell as the audio engineer. Each team member plays a crucial role in ensuring the podcast runs smoothly and effectively. Moreover, the episode was sponsored by Easycater and Capella University. Easycater provides solutions for companies' food needs, from employee meal plans to on-site staffing and concierge ordering support. Capella University offers flexible learning formats for earning degrees online at one's own pace, with support from caring individuals. These sponsors help NPR continue producing insightful and engaging content like Shortwave. The collaboration between the production team and the sponsors is essential to the podcast's success, demonstrating the power of teamwork and partnerships.
