Deep sections of refrozen meltwater in the centre of the Greenland ice sheet could double the runoff from its high-elevation interior, compared to previous estimates that do not account for these "ice slabs". Research led by the University of Colorado showed that a recent increase in meltwater has created metres-thick, impermeable slabs of ice that force meltwater directly into the sea rather than it being absorbed into porous snow. The ice slabs have expanded the ice sheet's runoff area by 26% ± 3%, and could result in an extra 74 mm rise in sea levels by 2013 under a high-emissions scenario.
Deep sections of refrozen meltwater in the centre of the Greenland ice sheet could double the runoff from its high-elevation interior, compared to previous estimates that do not account for these "ice slabs". Research led by the University of Colorado showed that a recent increase in meltwater has created metres-thick, impermeable slabs of ice that force meltwater directly into the sea rather than it being absorbed into porous snow. The ice slabs have expanded the ice sheet's runoff area by 26% ± 3%, and could result in an extra 74 mm rise in sea levels by 2100 under a high-emissions scenario.