Ancient evidence raises fears that Greenland’s ice sheet could melt again
Greenland’s vast ice sheet, which holds enough frozen water to raise global sea levels by 7 meters (23 feet), has long been considered one of the most stable parts of the Earth’s climate system.
But new research published in the journal Nature provides “smoking gun” evidence that the ice sheet has completely collapsed in the past – and could do so again.
The findings, taken from a sediment core drilled 30 years ago, reveal that the island was once an ice-free Arctic tundra complete with insects and plant life.
The researchers say their findings raise concerns about the potential for future sea level rise if the Greenland ice sheet were to melt again.
A green and temperate Greenland
The sediment core was drilled in 1991 from the center of the Greenland ice sheet, at a depth of 2,400 meters (7,874 feet).
The researchers analyzed the core for pollen, spores, and other microscopic fossils.
They found that the core contained a rich assemblage of fossils from plants and insects that are now found only in much warmer climates.
This suggests that Greenland was once a much warmer place than it is today, with a climate similar to that of modern-day Alaska.
The researchers also found evidence that the Greenland ice sheet has melted completely in the past.
They found layers of sediment that were deposited by meltwater rivers, and they also found evidence of glacial erosion.
This suggests that the ice sheet has melted away completely at least once in the past, and that it could do so again in the future.
Concerns about sea level rise
The findings have raised concerns about the potential for future sea level rise if the Greenland ice sheet were to melt again.
The researchers say that the ice sheet is currently losing mass at an accelerating rate, and that this could lead to a complete collapse of the ice sheet within the next few centuries.
If the Greenland ice sheet were to melt completely, it would raise global sea levels by 7 meters (23 feet).
This would have a devastating impact on coastal communities around the world.
The researchers say that their findings underscore the need to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change.
They say that if we do not take action, we could face a future with much higher sea levels and a much warmer planet.
