The Enigmatic Ghostly Figure Found Under Greenland Ice
A large, ghostly apparition has emerged in satellite images of Greenland, leaving scientists shocked and perplexed. The mysterious formation, which resembles a figure waving up at space, was spotted on the icy island’s northernmost coastline, deep within the Arctic Circle. It measured around three kilometres (two miles) long and around two kilometres (one mile) across its widest point, and was 70 metres (230 feet) deep when it first appeared, NASA’s Earth Observatory notes.
Whilst it was first glimpsed in 2013, researchers believe it formed at some point between 16 August and 6 September, 2011, when the area was cloaked by cloud cover. In a paper published in 2015, experts revealed the identity of the strange spectre, which is also known as “the mitten” owing to its glove-like shape.
The Formation of the Mysterious Spectre
The depression, now known as the ‘mitten’, signals the emergence of a worrying trend in Greenland. The study’s authors estimated that, at the height of this event, some 215 cubic metres (7,600 cubic feet) of water escaped the lake every second. This phenomenon was, in fact, “perhaps the first recorded instance of a rapid drainage of a subglacial lake in Greenland,” Kelly Brunt, a NASA glaciologist, told NASA’s Earth Observatory in 2015. Most similar submerged lakes in the country are considered to be very stable.
Researchers continued to closely monitor the “mitten”, and in 2022, a follow-up study revealed that the under-ice lake had been slowly refilling since 2012. By 2021, the floor of the depression had risen by 55 metres (180 feet) – creeping upwards by 15 metres (50 feet) below the surrounding ice, despite a second, smaller draining event in 2019.
Exploring the Refilling of the Subglacial Lake
The mystery surrounding the formation now lies in identifying how the lake has been refilling. Scientists initially believed that most of the water that reentered the lake came from surface meltwater trickling down underground. However, calculations later confirmed that meltwater could only account for 65 per cent of the lake’s water, meaning another, unknown, source of water was also at play.
Indeed, it remains unclear why the subglacial lake drained so quickly in 2011. However, experts suspect that human-caused climate change may have played a significant role. A number of subglacial Antarctic lakes have undergone similar collapses in recent years, and researchers now worry that the escaping water could accelerate ice loss in some areas.
The Impact of Climate Change on Subglacial Lakes
The implications of these phenomena are significant, as they point towards a potential acceleration of ice loss in regions such as Greenland and Antarctica. The rapid drainage of subglacial lakes can trigger a chain reaction that leads to increased melting and destabilization of ice sheets. This, in turn, can contribute to rising sea levels and have far-reaching consequences for global climate patterns.
As researchers delve deeper into the mechanisms behind these events, it becomes increasingly clear that human activities are a driving force behind the destabilization of polar ice. The warming of the planet due to greenhouse gas emissions is causing ice sheets to melt at unprecedented rates, leading to the release of trapped water and the formation of subglacial lakes.
Looking Towards the Future
In order to mitigate the impact of these changes, it is crucial that we take immediate action to reduce our carbon footprint and limit the rate of global warming. By transitioning to renewable energy sources, implementing sustainable practices, and advocating for policies that prioritize environmental protection, we can work towards preserving the delicate balance of our planet’s ecosystems.
The discovery of the enigmatic ghostly figure under Greenland’s ice serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of our planet’s polar regions. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of these subglacial lakes and their potential implications, it is imperative that we prioritize scientific research and environmental conservation efforts to safeguard the future of our planet and all its inhabitants.
