Innovative iceberg GPS tracking reveals new insights into Greenland's fjord circulation and climate impacts

Recent research from the University of Maine has introduced an inventive method for studying seawater circulation patterns around Greenland's glaciers, significantly improving climate models. This approach, which involves attaching GPS devices to icebergs in the Ilulissat Icefjord, aims to provide a clearer understanding of how these frozen giants interact with their marine environment. The study, led by UMaine assistant professor Kristin Schild along with University of Oregon's David Sutherland and graduate student Sydney Baratta, marks a critical step forward in predicting the future of global sea levels and the impacts of climate change.

Breaking new ground with GPS-tracked icebergs

The essence of this study lies in the novel use of technology to solve a long-standing problem in glacier research. Traditionally, the violent movements within fjords caused by floating icebergs pose major challenges for scientists trying to place stationary devices. By turning the problem on its head and using icebergs as mobile data collection platforms, the team managed to gain unprecedented insight into the fjord's circulation patterns. In the summers of 2014 and 2019, 13 icebergs were tracked, providing insight into how freshwater flow from tributary fjords influences the circulation of the main fjord – a crucial factor in the accuracy of climate modeling.

From bachelor project to climate breakthrough

The journey from an innovative idea to a published study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring in science. Sydney Baratta's involvement began as a graduate student project and evolved into a significant contribution to our understanding of climate dynamics. The results, recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, indicate that this method has the potential to revolutionize the way researchers approach the study of glacier-ocean interactions. This research not only improves our understanding of local fjord dynamics, but also has broader implications for global climate models, particularly in predicting sea level rise.

Global implications of localized research

The implications of Schild, Baratta and Sutherland's research go far beyond the Ilulissat Icefjord. Because Greenland and Antarctica have the world's largest freshwater ice reserves, the rate at which these ice sheets are melting is a critical factor in global sea level rise. Understanding the interactions between glaciers and oceans is crucial to predicting how these ice giants will respond to warming oceans. This research not only fills a significant knowledge gap, but also highlights the interconnectedness of our planet. Changes in the Arctic, as this study shows, have the potential to affect weather patterns, sea levels and ecosystems worldwide.

As the climate continues to warm, the importance of accurate and comprehensive climate models grows. The University of Maine researchers' innovative approach offers a promising path to improving these models and ultimately helping society better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This study illustrates the power of ingenuity in scientific research and the critical role that understanding our planet's complex climate systems plays in shaping a sustainable future.