The retreat of Arctic glaciers that end in the ocean since 2000
– By Will Kochtitzky and Luke Copland –
The glacier-ocean interface is a dynamic part of glacier and fjord systems. All glaciers, both land and marine-terminating, lose mass due to melt, but those that end in the ocean also lose mass by the calving of icebergs (Figure 1). Ocean currents can bring warm water and accelerate the retreat of glaciers that end in the ocean, while glaciers can bring nutrient rich meltwater to the ocean and locally increase biological productivity.