Open AccessGreenland glaciers and the 'greenhouse effect'
Author(s) -
Roger J. Braithwaite
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
rapport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-2944
pISSN - 0418-6559
DOI - 10.34194/rapggu.v148.8120
Subject(s) - glacier , future sea level , greenland ice sheet , ice sheet , physical geography , ice caps , cryosphere , sea level rise , climate change , geology , climatology , environmental science , oceanography , geography , sea ice , ice stream
Glacier studies have been made in Greenland since the 1970s to plan hydro-electric power. However, there is also public concern about the extra melting from the Greenland ice sheet and local glaciers that may occur under a warmer climate due to the 'greenhouse effect' (Fenger & Laut, 1989). The increase in melting will cause a rapid retreat of glaciers over the next 100 years and could give serious problems for large hydro-electric power stations. More seriously, glacier retreat in Greenland will also cause a rise in world sea level. Greenland is therefore a possible hazard to all low-lying land, including Denmark.