“Chasing Ice” captures largest glacier calving ever filmed

This is a very powerful display. Towards the end of the video some idea of the scale is provided using Manhattan.

UPDATE DEC 16:

Thanks to Hester Jiskoot (my first glaciology prof!) at the University of Lethbridge for some additional information about this particular glacier.

It is Ilulissat Glacier (formerly Jacobshavn Isbrae) in West Greenland. This glacier has been retreating since at least 1850. A strong increase in retreat rate has been associated with recent warming of the ocean waters around Greenland.

Holland, D. M., Thomas, R. H., De Young, B., Ribergaard, M. H., & Lyberth, B. (2008). Acceleration of Jakobshavn Isbrae triggered by warm subsurface ocean waters. Nature Geoscience, 1(10), 659-664.
Motyka, R. J., Truffer, M., Fahnestock, M., Mortensen, J., Rysgaard, S., & Howat, I. (2011). Submarine melting of the 1985 Jakobshavn Isbræ floating tongue and the triggering of the current retreat. Journal of Geophysical Research, 116(F1), F01007.

Comments

  1. Hi Jeremy, good to see you are doing well in the Anthropocene!
    Your former glaciology prof, Hester

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