In a campaign spanning five years, the objective of Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) is to monitor the fluctuating water temperatures on the continental shelf that envelops Greenland. The focus of study is on the response of marine glaciers to the occurrence of warm and salty Atlantic Water. An in-depth investigation into this interaction will enable OMG to contribute significantly to providing better estimates of sea-level rise. This is essentially accomplished by getting answers to critical questions such as to what extent the oceans are melting Greenland’s ice from below.
Understanding the Dynamics of Glaciers in Greenland
The structure depicted above showcases an average glacier located in Greenland. Below the layer of cold-fresh surface water, there exists a layer of warm, salty water that pervades into the fjords. Fjords are long, thin, deep sea inlets nestled between high cliffs, typically a result of a glaciated valley submersion. This warm layer reaches the fjords to melt the outer edges of the glacier.
Year after year, OMG will measure the volume and magnitude of this warm layer and establish its relation to the thinning and withdrawal of the glaciers. This scientific pursuit will give us valuable insights into the climatic transitions and their impact on the marine and alpine biomes.
The Role of NASA’s G-III Aircraft and GLISTIN-A in the OMG Project
For precise data collection, OMG will harness the capabilities of NASA’s G-III aircraft to operate the Glacier and Ice Surface Topography Interferometer (GLISTIN-A). GLISTIN-A is a Ka-band single-pass interferometer, known for generating high-resolution, incredibly accurate elevation measurements. This hardware is vital for investigating the coastal glaciers of Greenland.
| Instrument | Purpose |
|---|---|
| NASA’s G-III | Aircraft for deploying GLISTIN-A |
| GLISTIN-A | Measures high-precision elevations for studying coastal glaciers |
| Warm, Salty Atlantic Water | The main factor causing melting of Greenland’s glaciers |
A Bigger Picture: Consequences of Greenland’s Melting Glaciers
The OMG project is a significant step forward in understanding the relationship between oceanic temperatures and the melting of Greenland’s ice. The findings from this study could fundamentally change the current predictions regarding the rate of sea-level rise. The key to mitigating the consequences of climate change lies in understanding its causes and effects, and in this context, the role of projects like OMG becomes even more critical.