https://phys.org/news/2018-06-polar-ice-softer-previously-thought.html

Previous studies indicated that up to 50 percent of the Greenland Ice Sheet is melting at its base. "This new study shows that that is probably overestimated, because previous studies assumed ice to be harder than it actually is," says Paul Bons. The new assessment significantly reduces the area where basal motion – and therefore basal melting can be expected in the Greenland study area. "This does not necessarily mean that ice will now enter the oceans more slowly and delay sea-level rise. Instead, the results suggest that the internal deformation of ice is more important than was thought before," Ilka Weikusat explains. The new findings will be used to adapt the models predicting sea level changes.

The share of ice transport towards the oceans between melting at the base or internal shearing of the whole ice body has to be reconsidered, but cannot be determined from surface data alone. Instead, deep drill cores into fast flowing ice are important, such as the ongoing EastGRIP project in which some of the authors are involved.

                                                            
                                    
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