Description: Many studies of the Greenland island are conducted annually but just recently there have been found subglacial lakes formed with meltwater. Read the article to learn more about Greenland’s subglacial lakes and their importance for climate change.
The recent studies showed that under Greenland’s glaciers there hidden real treasure – gem-like lakes with pristine water. The exact number of hidden lakes discovered under Greenland’s glaciers by scientists is 56.
Before, scientists found only four bodies of pristine water which prompted further studies. Let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon and try to determine the possible outcomes of the appearing lakes under Greenland’s glaciers.
The recent studies showed that under Greenland’s glaciers there hidden real treasure – gem-like lakes with pristine water. The exact number of hidden lakes discovered under Greenland’s glaciers by scientists is 56.
Before, scientists found only four bodies of pristine water which prompted further studies. Let’s take a closer look at this phenomenon and try to determine the possible outcomes of the appearing lakes under Greenland’s glaciers.
What Are Subglacial Lakes?
When asking what subglacial lakes are, they are bodies of pristine water being formed beneath ice masses of the glacier. Meltwater is formed by geothermal heat retained in the Earth, on the one side, and heat on the surface of the glacier obtained from the sun, on the other side.
The truth is the bodies of freshwater are not hidden only under Greenland’s glaciers. Antarctica is also a place where many subglacial lakes that are known to be larger than those in Greenland are located.
The reason why Greenland’s subglacial lakes are tinier lies in the average temperature on the continent. When talking about the accurate numbers, the length of the bodies of freshwater beneath Greenland’s glaciers ranges from 200 meters to 6 kilometers.
How Do Subglacial Lakes Are Formed?
When you look at the Greenland map, you can see that the bodies of freshwater tend to cluster in eastern Greenland.
Stephen Livingstone, a specialist on physical geography claims that it is obvious that this water is trapped and stored under the Greenland Ice Sheet.
When viewed from air Greenland is a few times larger than the UK. On average, the giant Greenland continent is 3 km thick but bodies of freshwater form in places where surface is thinner, that is, near the coast, that is, where the Greenland weather is warmer.
Subglacial lakes are formed by the heat that is popping up here and there. After the meltwater is trapped under the ground, it forms a subglacial lake.
This phenomenon plays an important role in increasing sea level, life of the inhabitants of the sea like Greenland shark, seals, and other fish.
What Do The Research Are Aimed At?
Greenland subglacial lakes are formed by increasing temperature that is causing climate change and, possibly, the increase of the density of Greenland population.
While the studies help to build up a picture of the location of subglacial lakes, they are not finished as the temperature on the Greenland continent continues to rise.
The researchers promise to learn more about the bodies of water under Greenland’s glaciers as it can strongly influence the future of the Earth.
The investigation is expected to give a lot of useful information to be used for preventing climate change as the newly discovered bodies of pristine water in Greenland seem to be relatively stable.
In general, subglacial lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet are a kind of warning signal for humankind.
When thinking about what the studies of subglacial lakes are aimed at, they can help to form a full picture of where the bodies of freshwater can appear and predict how the Greenland Ice Sheet can respond to climate change.
By conducting studies of the Greenland subglacial lakes, scientists can also get a better understanding of Antarctic subglacial lakes located on the south pole.
Compared to the Antarctic continent, the Greenland Ice Sheet is much less active in forming hidden bodies of freshwater. While there have been found 60 subglacial lakes, Antarctica features around 470 the bodies of freshwater under the surface.
Conclusion
Many studies have been conducted on the water network of the Earth. Discovered just recently, the bodies of freshwater under the Greenland Ice Sheet are an important factor determining the level of water in the ocean, which is why they need to be investigated to predict the possible climate change.
If you have some questions or thoughts to share, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Author’s bio: Thomas Quarry is a data scientist, experienced traveller, treasure hunter, researcher travelling around the world. If you need a piece of advice on where to go, how to prepare and how to avoid troubles during a trip, you are welcome to read his truthful stories and watch amazing photos.
*This is a guest post
