A colossal, unexpected event just shook Greenland. A staggering 90 billion liters of meltwater – equivalent to roughly 22,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools – violently erupted through the ice sheet's surface. Scientists are calling it a "never-before-seen" outburst, surprising researchers across the globe.
This massive flood, a subglacial flood (water trapped beneath the ice), blasted its way out, creating a dramatic fountain visible from space. Geoscientists are scrambling to understand what triggered this sudden release, which occurred recently.
The sheer volume of water highlights the accelerating impact of climate change on Greenland's ice. Melting ice creates vast lakes under the sheet, and this event demonstrates the potential for sudden, powerful releases. Experts warn such occurrences could become more frequent, impacting sea levels and coastal communities.
