A massive lake, estimated to measure over 27 thousand square miles, has been found beneath the surface of southeast Greenland’s ice.
A massive lake, estimated to measure approximately 27 thousand square miles, has been reported beneath the surface of southeast Greenland’s ice.
The body of water, which is about the size of West Virginia, came as a surprise discovery to scientists drilling to glean other information.
Since 2010, the team from the University of Utah has been regularly measuring snow accumulation from year to year.
When some of the samples were taken in 2011, water came up with them.
This led to the discovery of the icebound lake located within.
When it comes to rising sea levels, Greenland’s ice melt is one of the major contributors to oceanic volume and among the key indicators of what is to come.
Previously, it was believed that all of what liquefied in the warmer months ended up in the ocean or re-froze, but now scientists say they have this prior undiscovered reservoir to factor in.
At this time, the researchers are unsure if the chilly lake is a friend or foe to the problem of the melting ice sheet.
Among the information that will help them best utilize their discovery is determining the water’s age, an undertaking that will begin in the near future.
