COPENHAGEN, Denmark – As concerns about rising sea levels continue to grow on a global scale, recent findings out of Greenland present a surprising contrast. Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have discovered a significant phenomenon involving the rise of Greenland’s bedrock. Over the last decade, the bedrock has experienced an increase of up to 20 cm, translating to an estimated uplift of 2 meters per century.
The research, led by Danjal Longfors Berg, a Ph.D. student at DTU Space, attributes this remarkable land uplift to the melting of Greenland’s ice sheet. As the ice melts, it alleviates the pressure on the bedrock beneath, causing the land to rise. This rapid uplift not only impacts the local ecosystem but also alters Greenland’s physical map, leading to the emergence of new landforms such as small islands and skerries.
The study leverages data from GNET, a network of 61 measurement stations along Greenland’s coasts. GNET, with its precision monitoring capabilities using GNSS technology, plays a critical role in monitoring ice melt and land uplift, providing invaluable insights into climate changes.
This phenomenon of land uplift in Greenland is not solely a consequence of the post-ice age recovery process. While the landmass was compressed under the weight of a thick ice sheet during the last ice age and is still rising as it rebounds from the loss of ice, the recent acceleration in uplift rates is attributed to the increased melting of the ice sheet, a direct impact of global warming.
The research conducted by DTU has uncovered surprising data on Greenland’s unique geological response to climate change, documenting a significant uplift of the bedrock attributed to the melting of the ice sheet. This phenomenon, which contrasts with the global trend of rising sea levels, underscores the intricate and localized impacts of climate change, challenging our understanding of its global effects.
By leveraging precise data from the GNET network, the study provides invaluable insights into the rapid changes occurring in Greenland, emphasizing the critical role of advanced monitoring technologies in deciphering the multifaceted nature of environmental changes. This research serves as a crucial reminder of the need for continued observation and study to fully grasp the complex dynamics of our changing planet.