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What's hidden under the Greenland ice sheet? | Kristin Poinar
In her enlightening TED Talk, Kristin Poinar unpacks the complex and fascinating dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet, which is not just a massive expanse of ice but a dynamic system that influences global sea levels. The Greenland ice sheet, roughly the size of Mexico and with ice thickness up to two miles, is not static; it flows like a river toward the ocean while hiding incredible secrets beneath its surface.
Poinar recounts her journey from a curious student to a glaciologist flying over Greenland in a NASA-operated cargo plane. This transition highlights the transformative technology in science, akin to the revolution brought by smartphones in social media. Using advanced radar technology, scientists can peer through the ice, revealing the complex topography of the bedrock beneath. This includes astonishing features like channels that funnel both ice and meltwater into the ocean.
One significant discovery detailed in the talk is the existence of a hidden aquifer – a vast pool of liquid water sitting seven stories below the surface, formed by melting snow that trickles down, insulated within the ice. Understanding whether this water remains congealed in place or eventually drains into the ocean is critical due to the implications it holds for sea level rise.
Poinar also discusses the importance of numeric models developed to describe ice dynamics. Borrowing engineering principles on material fracture, she creates mathematical models that predict how this aquifer water might influence ice flow and potentially accelerate the melting process into the ocean.
The broader implications of her research are daunting. Since 2002, the Greenland ice sheet has lost considerable mass—a shocking quantity equivalent to flooding Australia knee-deep in water. This mass loss contributes significantly to global sea level rise, which is projected to be between 20 cm to 1 meter over the next 80 years.
Poinar's work underscores the urgency for glaciologists and scientists to refine projections of sea level rise to aid communities in planning for the future. As she aptly puts it, understanding the ice's behavior is essential for anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The insights provided in this talk not only amplify our understanding of the Greenland ice sheet but also serve as a call to action for addressing climate change as we learn more about the ice's hidden dynamics.
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What are your thoughts on Kristin Poinar's findings? Do you think the scientific community is doing enough to address and communicate the urgency surrounding climate change? I'd love to hear your opinions!
If you want to explore more on climate science or related technologies, feel free to share any interesting articles or personal experiences in the comments below!
In her enlightening TED Talk, Kristin Poinar unpacks the complex and fascinating dynamics of the Greenland ice sheet, which is not just a massive expanse of ice but a dynamic system that influences global sea levels. The Greenland ice sheet, roughly the size of Mexico and with ice thickness up to two miles, is not static; it flows like a river toward the ocean while hiding incredible secrets beneath its surface.
Poinar recounts her journey from a curious student to a glaciologist flying over Greenland in a NASA-operated cargo plane. This transition highlights the transformative technology in science, akin to the revolution brought by smartphones in social media. Using advanced radar technology, scientists can peer through the ice, revealing the complex topography of the bedrock beneath. This includes astonishing features like channels that funnel both ice and meltwater into the ocean.
One significant discovery detailed in the talk is the existence of a hidden aquifer – a vast pool of liquid water sitting seven stories below the surface, formed by melting snow that trickles down, insulated within the ice. Understanding whether this water remains congealed in place or eventually drains into the ocean is critical due to the implications it holds for sea level rise.
Poinar also discusses the importance of numeric models developed to describe ice dynamics. Borrowing engineering principles on material fracture, she creates mathematical models that predict how this aquifer water might influence ice flow and potentially accelerate the melting process into the ocean.
The broader implications of her research are daunting. Since 2002, the Greenland ice sheet has lost considerable mass—a shocking quantity equivalent to flooding Australia knee-deep in water. This mass loss contributes significantly to global sea level rise, which is projected to be between 20 cm to 1 meter over the next 80 years.
Poinar's work underscores the urgency for glaciologists and scientists to refine projections of sea level rise to aid communities in planning for the future. As she aptly puts it, understanding the ice's behavior is essential for anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
The insights provided in this talk not only amplify our understanding of the Greenland ice sheet but also serve as a call to action for addressing climate change as we learn more about the ice's hidden dynamics.
---
What are your thoughts on Kristin Poinar's findings? Do you think the scientific community is doing enough to address and communicate the urgency surrounding climate change? I'd love to hear your opinions!
If you want to explore more on climate science or related technologies, feel free to share any interesting articles or personal experiences in the comments below!