Greenland ice sheet melted 17 times faster than average in historic May heatwave
As Iceland experienced its seven hottest days in May due to global warming, neighbouring Greenland's ice sheet melted 17 times faster than the usual rate during last month's heatwave, the World Weather Attribution said in a new report.This unusual development could trigger a catastrophic chain of events, including changes in ocean currents, accelerated global warming, extreme weather patterns, loss of marine biodiversity, and flooding due to rising sea levels.advertisementThe study focusses on the seven hottest days in Iceland, and the single hottest day in May, recorded in weather stations at the eastern coast of Greenland and Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.
In a first, Egilsstadir Airport, located in eastern Iceland, recorded a temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius, the highest-ever temperature recorded in the month of May for the region. On the other hand, the Ittoqqortoormiit station in eastern Greenland recorded a temperature of 14.3 degrees Celsius on May 19, 13 degrees more than the average daily temperature for the month.However, a heat-wave in places accustomed to sustaining harsh winters can prove catastrophic, according to the findings of the report. An unprecedented heatwave, like the one the region experienced last month, can result in flooding, and damage infrastructure like roads and buildings.advertisementOn top of that, the breaking of ice caused due to global warming affects the food security and livelihoods of the local communities, dependent on fishing, hunting and travel, added the report.Due to changes in ocean currents and warmer seas, cold-water fishes like halibut and other species like shrimps are moving northwards.According to the report, parts of the region experienced the heatwave due to a flow of warm air from the south, triggered by a high-pressure system near the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean (near Denmark) and a low-pressure system south of Cape Farewell, at the southern tip of Greenland. As a result, the area experienced warmer-than-usual weather. Although such events are not unheard of, what made this heatwave different was that it arrived earlier and lasted longer than usual.Must Watch
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