Abstract

Significant changes are occurring on the Greenland ice sheet, which may prove disastrous because of its 7m potential sea-level impact. Such changes include the rapid thinning of glaciers, which is believed to result from flow enhancements, and significant mass imbalance or acceleration of major outlets. Such melt-induced acceleration and thinning is likely to lead to increased sea-levels or disturbed ocean circulation. There is a pressing need for more information about the ongoing development of Greenland outlet dynamics and specifically in calving flux estimates which are currently poorly known.

The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) has the required spatial resolution and revisit capability to make a significant contribution to monitoring this vital component of the climate-cryosphere system.