Studies on sediments from the Camp Century ice core reveal that Greenland didn’t have any ice cover during the MIS 11 interglacial phase, a significant factor in the rise of global sea levels. This discovery has essential ramifications for future sea levels, especially in our currently warming climate. Credit: Joshua Brown/UVM
In a recent examination of the Camp Century ice core’s sediments, researchers found that in the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial period, northwestern Greenland was without ice. This period, having temperatures comparable to those forecasted for our near future, led to a significant increase in global sea levels as the Greenland Ice Sheet melted.
New investigations of sediments from the base of the Camp Century ice core in northwestern Greenland indicate that during an essential historical era, the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial phase, the area was ice-free. This era is marked by some of the smallest recorded global ice volumes.
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Consequences for Rising Sea Levels
The Greenland Ice Sheet must have added over 1.4 meters to the global sea level during the MIS 11 period when the region was ice-free. This time saw global air temperatures similar to what could soon be experienced due to man-made climate warming.
Gaining Insight from Previous Interglacial Phases
Historical interglacial periods, marked by higher global temperatures and decreased global ice, provide significant lessons for understanding how Earth’s frozen regions might react to current climate warming and contribute to sea level increases. However, obtaining accurately dated sediment records from previously ice-free zones is a complex task given present ice cover.
Unmasking Concealed Data: Camp Century Ice Core
The Camp Century ice core in northwestern Greenland stands out by containing unique frozen subglacial sediments, hinting at an ice-free stage during the Pleistocene epoch. Researchers including Andrew Christ analyzed these sediments through techniques like luminescence dating and found them to be laid down by running water in an ice-free zone during the MIS 11 interglacial phase (~416 thousand years ago), with exposure to sunlight less than 16,000 years prior.
A Closer Look at Greenland’s Ice Melt during MIS 11
To delve deeper into Greenland’s ice melting during MIS 11, Christ and his colleagues applied an array of ice sheet models. Their research indicates that melting at the Camp Century location contributed a minimum of 1.4 meters to the average global sea level, a level that was 6 to 13 meters higher than today.
Christ and his team’s findings state, “If 29 [thousand years] of moderate warmth during MIS 11 led to significant loss of ice from Greenland, the significant and long-lasting human-made warming in the Arctic is likely to result in the melting of the [Greenland Ice Sheet], elevating sea levels, and initiating further climate changes in upcoming centuries.”
Further information on this research:
- Ice Core Reveals Greenland’s Recent Melting from a Covert Cold War Military Operation
- Greenland’s Concealed Past: Climate Scientists Challenge Established Climate Views
Reference: “Deglaciation of northwestern Greenland during Marine Isotope Stage 11” by Andrew J. Christ et al., published on 20 July 2023 in Science. DOI: 10.1126/science.ade4248
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Greenland Ice Core
What does the research on Camp Century ice core sediments reveal?
The research on sediments from the Camp Century ice core shows that Greenland was ice-free during the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 interglacial period, contributing significantly to the global sea-level rise. The findings have important implications for understanding future sea levels in the context of climate change.
What period does the ice core data refer to, and why is it significant?
The data refers to the MIS 11 interglacial period, approximately 416 thousand years ago. This period is significant as it witnessed global temperatures similar to those projected for our near future and is known to have some of the lowest global ice volumes recorded, giving valuable insights into potential future climate behavior.
How did Greenland’s ice-free condition affect global sea levels?
Greenland’s ice-free condition during the MIS 11 interglacial period meant that the Greenland Ice Sheet contributed over 1.4 meters of sea-level equivalent to the global sea level. This information helps in understanding how current human-induced warming might affect sea levels.
What insights can be gained from studying past interglacial periods?
Studying past interglacial periods, characterized by warmer global temperatures and reduced ice coverage, offers valuable insights into how Earth’s cryosphere may respond to current warming trends. It can help predict how ongoing climate change may contribute to sea level rise and shape global climate dynamics.
What makes the Camp Century ice core an exceptional case?
The Camp Century ice core from northwestern Greenland contained rare frozen subglacial sediments. These suggest that the region was ice-free at some point during the Pleistocene epoch, providing unique information about past climates and sea-level changes that can inform future climate models and predictions.
How did researchers determine that Greenland was ice-free during the MIS 11 period?
Researchers, including Andrew Christ and his team, analyzed the sediments from the Camp Century ice core using luminescence dating and cosmogenic nuclide data. They found that the sediments were deposited in an ice-free environment during the MIS 11 interglacial period, having been exposed to sunlight less than 16,000 years prior.
More about fokus keyword: Greenland Ice Core
- Greenland Melted Recently: Ice Core from Secret Cold War Army Mission
- Greenland’s Hidden History: Geoscientists Challenge Pre-Existing Climate Beliefs
- Deglaciation of Northwestern Greenland during Marine Isotope Stage 11 – Science Journal
