Towering glacial ice cliffs may collapse in fits and starts
We still don't know for sure how the ice cliffs looming over the sea at the leading edge of some glaciers will behave as the climate warms, but satellite data offers some clues
Towering ice cliffs along Thrym glacier in Greenland's Skjoldungen fjord may collapse in irregular bursts, rather than gradually, according to new research. While scientists had feared these marine-based glaciers could be vulnerable to "runaway" cliff collapses, exposing taller cliffs and potentially doubling sea level rise, direct observations now suggest this may not be the case.
The risk of such collapse hinges on two key factors: the steepness of the sea floor beneath the glacier and how quickly the ice flows towards the ocean. Researchers found that even fast-flowing glaciers can stabilize ice cliffs, preventing runaway retreat. However, as glaciers face deepening sea floors, they may eventually reach a point where the structural integrity of the ice is compromised, potentially leading to rapid, uncontrolled collapse.
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