A Mini-Surge on the Ryder Glacier, Greenland, Observed by Satellite Radar Interferometry

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Joughin, Ian, Tulaczyk, Slawek, Fahnestock, Mark, Kwok, Ron
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 1996
• Subjects: Greenland; Ryder; Ryder Glacier; glacier
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.274.5285.228; https://www.science.org/doi/pdf/10.1126/science.274.5285.228

Satellite radar interferometry reveals that the speed of the Ryder Glacier increased roughly threefold and then returned to normal (100 to 500 meters/year) over a 7-week period near the end of the 1995 melt season. The accelerated flow represents a substantial, though short-lived, change in ice discharge. During the period of rapid motion, meltwater-filled supraglacial lakes may have drained, which could have increased basal water pressure and caused the mini-surge. There are too few velocity measurements on other large outlet glaciers to determine whether this type of event is a widespread phenomenon in Greenland, but because most other outlet glaciers are at lower latitudes, they should experience more extensive melting, making them more susceptible to meltwater-induced surges.