Melt ponds, wich form on the surface of glaciers and ice sheets during warmer periods, are providing crucial data on the annual melting patterns of the Greenland ice sheet. These seasonal features, typically observed between May and september, have shown a notable increase in extent and intensity this year. Data collected by the National Snow and ice Data Center highlights two notable melt surges occurring between May and June, suggesting an accelerated melting process compared to historical averages.

Last year’s melt season also exhibited unusual characteristics, with melt phenomena observed extending further inland from Greenland’s coastal regions than typically recorded. Scientists are monitoring whether this trend of increased inland melting will continue in subsequent years, as observed during July 2024.

NASA’s Landsat 9 satellite plays a vital role in collecting this data. Further facts on the Landsat 9 mission and its capabilities can be found on NASA’s official Landsat page. Additional imagery captured by the satellite is regularly published on NASA’s Earth Observatory website.