AccuWeather.com

Greenland's Reflectiveness Decreasing

Jan 12, 2012; 10:16 AM ET

Over the past decade, satellite data has shown that the amount of sunlight that the Greenland Ice Sheet reflects has decreased.

The reason for this, according to the NASA Earth Observatory article is that the surface of Greenland has darkened through the period, allowing more heat to be absorbed, which is accelerating the melting process of the ice sheet.

The NASA image below shows the change toward less reflectivity across most of the ice sheet.

Warmer, lower-elevation areas of the ice sheet have darkened more than the colder, higher-altitude interior. Each summer, winter snow retreats from the edge of the ice sheet. Dark pools of melt water form on the surface of the ice, and windblown dust and other particles also collect near the surface, making it even less reflective. (via NASA)

Also, over the high elevations of the interior of Greenland the ice sheet has darkened due to changes in the shape and size of the ice crystals in the snow pack.

blogs Home >

Comments

Comments left here should adhere to the AccuWeather.com Community Guidelines. Profanity, personal attacks, and spam will not be tolerated.

How did 2011 compare to the last 130+ years?

Feb 22, 2012; 3:27 PM ET

The National Climatic Data Center put together a nice review of the global climate of 2011 and how it compared to the last 130+ years.

Climate Impact of Alberta's Oil Sands

Feb 20, 2012; 1:36 PM ET

Emissions from Alberta's oil sands may only have a minimal impact on global warming compared to coal.

Episodes of Extreme Summertime Heat becoming more Common

Feb 17, 2012; 10:35 AM ET

New research says more extreme heat in the Lower 48 during the summer over the next several decades.

January Arctic Sea Ice Growth Rate Slowest in the Satellite Record

Feb 16, 2012; 3:01 PM ET

The growth rate of sea ice in the Arctic during January 2012 was the lowest recorded for January in the satellite record that goes back to 1979.

January 2012 Surface Temperature Anomalies

Feb 15, 2012; 5:23 PM ET

The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) has released their January 2012 global surface temperature anomaly data.

Explaining Global Warming through the use of Steroids in Baseball

Feb 13, 2012; 2:22 PM ET

Scientists at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado have come up with an interesting cartoon to explain global warming.

Has Global Warming come to a Halt?

Feb 10, 2012; 11:54 AM ET

Has global warming come to a halt over the past decade?

How much are melting Glaciers and Icecaps contributing to Sea Level Rise?

Feb 9, 2012; 5:25 PM ET

How much are melting glaciers and icecaps contributing to sea level rise?

Satellite Verdict is in on January Temperatures

Feb 7, 2012; 2:27 PM ET

Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) has just released their January 2012 satellite measured temperature anomaly data for the lower troposphere.

Politics and Public Opinion on Climate Change

Feb 6, 2012; 3:24 PM ET

A new study that was published in the journal Climatic Change concludes that the main driving factor (no surprise) that influences public opinion on climate change is the political mobilizing efforts......

Mystery Tree Decline may be finally Solved

Feb 3, 2012; 12:18 PM ET

The Yellow Cedar, which is a valuable, slow-growing and long-living tree that grows from southeastern Alaska through parts of British Columbia has been mysteriously declining

UK Met Office Responds to Misleading Article

Feb 1, 2012; 1:18 PM ET

UK Met Office Responds to Misleading newspaper article....

Globally, 2011 will go down as Warm and Wet

Jan 30, 2012; 3:49 PM ET

Despite the cooling influence of La Nina during the early and late part of last year, 2011 will still go down as the 11th warmest year on record globally

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map adjusted to Account for Warming

Jan 26, 2012; 1:07 PM ET

The USDA has released an updated version of their plant hardiness zone map for the first time in 22 years.

Diminishing Solar Output will have little Impact on Greenhouse Warming

Jan 25, 2012; 11:47 AM ET

Solar activity is predicted to slowly decrease through this century. How much will this slow projected greenhouse gas warming?