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Anomalous Circulation in July 2019 Resulting in Mass Loss on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Author(s) -
Cullather Richard I.,
Andrews Lauren C.,
Croteau Michael J.,
Digirolamo Nicolo E.,
Hall Dorothy K.,
Lim YoungKwon,
Loomis Bryant D.,
Shuman Christopher A.,
Nowicki Sophie M. J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2020gl087263
Subject(s) - greenland ice sheet , climatology , atmospheric circulation , geology , jet stream , ice sheet , circulation (fluid dynamics) , environmental science , oceanography , jet (fluid) , physics , thermodynamics
Current mass loss on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) includes a significant contribution from surface runoff. The circumstances associated with melt events are important for understanding the global sea level contribution of the GrIS. In late July 2019, surface melt occurred over 62% of the GrIS, including Summit Station. The general circulation leading to the event is found to be dissimilar to 2012 and other events documented in the 21st century, with warm air associated with remote atmospheric blocking over western Europe eventually transiting west to the GrIS. Gravimetric data indicate that the 2019 summer mass loss was 137 Gt more than the 2004–2010 median, or about 92% of the 2012 record. Mass loss during the event was significant in GrIS northeastern regions in 2019. As compared to 2012, the southwest did not fully participate. Similar circulation patterns have not previously been associated with significant melt.