Significant melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet this year

The 2023 Greenland Ice Sheet cumulative melt area was the second highest in the satellite record, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center. The satellite record began in 1979. The current record occurred back in 2012.

This year's melt season was abnormally warm throughout the region, which accelerated the amount of land-based ice being lost. As you can see by the above graph, this year's melt extent was well above the 1981-2010 median and at times outside of the interdecile range.

The above graphic shows some of the highest Greenland surface melt extent years. This year is shown through the end of August.

The average date of the annual peak of the Greenland Ice Sheet melt season has also been trending slightly later in the season over the past several years. See image below.

Compared to other major ice sheets across the world, the Greenland Ice Sheet has experienced the greatest loss of ice mass over the past 20 years, as shown in the image below.

All Images courtesy the NSIDC.

Report a Typo