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Submitted on December 6, 2006
Accepted on January 24, 2007
Rapid Changes in Ice Discharge from Greenland Outlet Glaciers
Ian M. Howat 1*, Ian R. Joughin 2, Ted A. Scambos 3
1 Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Lab, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th Street, Seattle, WA 98105-6698, USA; National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, 1540 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA. 2 Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Lab, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th Street, Seattle, WA 98105-6698, USA. 3 National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, 1540 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309-0449, USA.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Ian M. Howat , E-mail: ihowat{at}apl.washington.edu
Using satellite-derived surface elevation and velocity data,we find major short-term variations in recent ice dischargeand mass-loss at two of Greenland's largest outlet glaciers.Their combined rate of mass-loss doubled in less than a yearin 2004 and then decreased in 2006 to near the previous rates,likely due to fast re-equilibration of calving front geometryfollowing retreat. Total mass-loss is a fraction of concurrentgravity-derived estimates, pointing to an alternative sourceof loss and the need for high-resolution observations of outletdynamics and glacier geometry for sea-level rise predictions.
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