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Originally published in Science Express on 8 February 2007
Science 16 March 2007:
Vol. 315. no. 5818, pp. 1559 - 1561
DOI: 10.1126/science.1138478
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Reports

Rapid Changes in Ice Discharge from Greenland Outlet Glaciers

Ian M. Howat,1,2* Ian Joughin,1 Ted A. Scambos2

Using satellite-derived surface elevation and velocity data, we found major short-term variations in recent ice discharge and mass loss at two of Greenland's largest outlet glaciers. Their combined rate of mass loss doubled in less than a year in 2004 and then decreased in 2006 to near the previous rates, likely as a result of fast re-equilibration of calving-front geometry after retreat. Total mass loss is a fraction of concurrent gravity-derived estimates, pointing to an alternative source of loss and the need for high-resolution observations of outlet dynamics and glacier geometry for sea-level rise predictions.

1 Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Lab, University of Washington, 1013 Northeast 40th Street, Seattle, WA 98105–6698, USA.
2 National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, 1540 30th Street, Boulder, CO, 80309–0449, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ihowat{at}apl.washington.edu

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Large and Rapid Melt-Induced Velocity Changes in the Ablation Zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
R. S. W. van de Wal, W. Boot, M. R. van den Broeke, C. J. P. P. Smeets, C. H. Reijmer, J. J. A. Donker, and J. Oerlemans (2008)
Science 321, 111-113
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Seasonal Speedup Along the Western Flank of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
I. Joughin, S. B. Das, M. A. King, B. E. Smith, I. M. Howat, and T. Moon (2008)
Science 320, 781-783
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Sea levels: resolution and uncertainty.
R. Edwards (2007)
Progress in Physical Geography 31, 621-632
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Glaciers Dominate Eustatic Sea-Level Rise in the 21st Century.
M. F. Meier, M. B. Dyurgerov, U. K. Rick, S. O'Neel, W. T. Pfeffer, R. S. Anderson, S. P. Anderson, and A. F. Glazovsky (2007)
Science 317, 1064-1067
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Recent Sea-Level Contributions of the Antarctic and Greenland Ice Sheets.
A. Shepherd and D. Wingham (2007)
Science 315, 1529-1532
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)