Sermeq Kujalleq - Jakobshavn Isbrae Retreat
Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 19:40
in Earth & Climate
Sermeq Kujalleq - Jakobshavn Isbrae RetreatThe Jakobshavn Isbrae, or Jakobshavn glacier, now becoming known by its local name - Sermeq Kujalleq - has been observed retreating since about 1851. Near the small town of Ilulissat, formerly Jakobshavn, Sermeq Kujalleq is the Northern hemisphere's largest glacier with an outlet to the sea. It drains about 6.5% of Greenland's ice sheet. The ice stream's contribution to sea level rise is about 0.06 millimeters - about 0.002 inches - per year, roughly 4% of the 20th century rate of sea level increase. read more