Short Wave How Glaciers Move
Jan 11, 2023
Jessica Mejía, a postdoctoral researcher in glaciology at the University of Buffalo, shares her fascinating experiences studying the Greenland ice sheet. She reveals the intense isolation faced during her research stints and explains how glaciers are not only melting but also moving, which complicates predictions for sea level rise. Mejía discusses the innovative tools used to monitor glacier dynamics and emphasizes the critical implications of her findings for coastal communities worldwide. Her passion for climate science shines through as she navigates the challenges of her vital work.
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Research Camp on the Greenland Ice Sheet
- Jessica Mejía, a glaciologist, conducts research on the Greenland Ice Sheet.
- Her team gets dropped off via helicopter and sets up camp for weeks.
Glacier Movement and Sea Level Rise
- Melting glaciers cause rising sea levels, but their movement also plays a role.
- How melting and movement interact affects the speed of sea-level rise, impacting coastal communities.
Adapting Tools for Glacier Research
- Glaciologists often adapt tools from other fields, like ice fishing, for their research.
- Jessica Mejía lost a GoPro in a moulin, a hole in the glacier, highlighting the challenging conditions.