Alaska's Juneau Icefield Melting Rate Accelerates

In a recent study, it has been revealed that the melting of Alaska's Juneau icefield, which is home to over 1,000 glaciers, is rapidly accelerating. The snow-covered area is now shrinking at a rate 4.6 times faster than it was in the 1980s. Researchers have been meticulously tracking snow levels in the nearly 1,500-square mile icy expanse dating back to 1948, with additional data going back to the 18th century. The study highlights that the icefield is losing snow nearly five times faster than it did in the 1980s, with 64 glaciers disappearing between 2005 and 2019. Alaska climatologist Brian Brettschneider, not involved in the study, expressed concern over the acceleration of the melting, warning of a potential "death spiral" for the thinning icefield. The study emphasizes the impact of feedback effects, where white snow and ice reflect the sun's heat, while dark rocks absorb it, leading to a warming-triggered melt that amplifies and accelerates the process. The shape of Juneau's icefield, being rather flat, makes it susceptible to tipping points, where once the snow line moves up, large areas become more prone to melt. The study co-author, Mauri Pelto, a professor of environmental science, noted that the flow of ice into water now averages about 50,000 gallons every second due to the rapid melting. Despite the alarming rate of melting, Pelto mentioned that even if all the snow in the Juneau icefield were to melt, it would not significantly contribute to global sea levels. The famous Mendenhall Glacier, a tourist attraction within the icefield, has also been affected by the accelerated melting. Researchers and experts are raising concerns about the future outlook of the Juneau icefield, with Pelto questioning what it will look like in the next 40 years.