Greenland's ice sheet melted away at record levels in 2019, scientists fear it will continue
ABCGreenland's ice sheet lost a record amount of mass in 2019, a finding that could prompt scientists to redefine their worst-case scenario as they assess the effects of climate change. Key points: Greenland lost 532 gigatonnes of ice, 15 per cent more than the previous record in 2012 Its icy bulk melted more quickly than anticipated amid climate warming Another study indicated Greenland is no longer getting enough annual snowfall to replace ice loss Geoscientist and glaciologist Ingo Sasgen of the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany said that the rate of ice loss — which had slowed in the previous two-year period — increased again as warm air flowed northward from lower latitudes, leading to the island experiencing a record loss in its ice mass. Greenland's ice melt is of particular concern, as the ancient ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 6 metres if it were to melt away entirely. Greenland's ice sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels by at least 6 metres if it melts away entirely.