The Greenland Ice Sheet releases 90 billion liters of water, discovered by scientists in a groundbreaking study revealing a massive subglacial flood triggered by the sudden drainage of a hidden lake during the summer of 2014. The event, published in Nature Geoscience (July 2025), sheds new light on how climate change is intensifying ice sheet instability and could worsen global sea level rise.
Greenland Ice Sheet Releases 90 Billion Liters of Water
The flood occurred in northern Greenland, triggered by the sudden drainage of a subglacial lake. The released water, equivalent to nine hours of peak flow at Niagara Falls, surged upward through the ice sheet instead of draining down to the ocean. This surprising phenomenon was captured using satellite data from ESA’s CryoSat and NASA’s ICESat-2, along with 3D surface modeling.
The sheer strength of pressured meltwater was revealed when a crater that was 2 square kilometers in size and 85 meters deep emerged in just ten days. The landscape was hardest damaged by this flood downstream. About 385,000 square meters, or twice the size of Central Park, was torn apart, and there were ice blocks scattered all over the place that were 25 meters high.
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Why It Matters for Climate Models?
This Greenland subglacial flood has major implications for climate science. Until now, it was believed that meltwater beneath ice sheets simply drained outward to the ocean. However, this study shows that when water pressure builds up under the ice, it can burst upward, fracturing the surface and altering ice flow.
Such explosive events challenge existing ice sheet hydrology models. According to Dr. Jade Bowling, the lead researcher from Lancaster University, even the team initially thought their data was flawed. But the event was real and far more destructive than anticipated.
The flood also slowed a nearby glacier, indicating that subglacial water movement can affect ice sheet dynamics over large areas. Co-author Dr. Amber Leeson stressed the importance of better understanding these hidden processes, especially as climate change accelerates ice melt.
Current climate models don’t include these upward outbursts, raising concerns about how accurately they predict future sea level rise. With the Greenland Ice Sheet holding enough water to raise sea levels by 7.4 meters, improving monitoring systems is essential.
Figure: Hypothetical model showing the release of 90 billion liters of water during a subglacial lake drainage event from the Greenland Ice Sheet. Source: Nature Geoscience (Nat. Geosci.)
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Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Summer 2014 |
| Location | Northern Greenland |
| Water Volume | 90 billion liters (90 million m³) |
| Crater Depth | 85 meters |
| Crater Area | 2 square kilometers |
| Downstream Damage | 385,000 square meters |
| Ice Blocks Height | Up to 25 meters |
| Research Published | July 2025, Nature Geoscience |
| Lead Researcher | Dr. Jade Bowling, Lancaster University |
Key Takeaway
This subglacial flood in Greenland marks a turning point in our understanding of how meltwater behaves beneath ice sheets. As the planet warms, more such events may occur, raising the urgency to update climate models and prepare for long-term sea level threats. Ongoing research using satellite technology remains crucial for forecasting changes in the Arctic ice system.
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