Over the last decade, satellite observations have shown that the floating ice tongues in Greenland's fjords have been retreating and that some outlet glaciers are doubling speed en route to the ocean. The purpose of this project is to improve the understanding of the role of the ocean in such fast, dynamical changes at the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet, and to quantify the potential for contribution of such change to future global sea level. This will be achieved by making oceanographic and meteorological observations over a period of five years at two key fjords: one on the west coast, Jakobshavn, and the other on the east coast, Helheim. Observations of the hydrography, particularly water temperature, and bathymetry deep into these fjords are critical elements in understanding how ocean waters interact with the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet. The oceanographic and meteorological observations will be used to develop and validate a coupled ocean- ice sheet computer model that will enable improved understanding of processes that contribute to sea level rise. The broader impacts of the study include the involvement of two graduate students in the computer modeling and fieldwork. The principal investigator and graduate students will also give talks in the Greenland settlements where they will be based, and the PI will continue his collaboration with the Ilullisat Museum near Jakobshavn Fjord.
