A research team from the University of Ottawa has developed a new set of detailed 3D models that illustrate temperature distributions deep beneath Greenland and northeastern Canada. These models provide valuable insights into how the region has formed over millions of years and help explain how Greenland’s massive ice sheet has responded—and may continue to respond—to climate change.

Collaboration and Research Methods

The project was carried out in collaboration with scientists from the University of Twente (Netherlands) and the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). To create the models, the team combined satellite data with results from ground-based observations. Hundreds of thousands of computer simulations were then run using high-performance computing resources, including those of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. The results revealed that heat within the Earth beneath Greenland is distributed unevenly. According to the study’s lead author, these differences are closely linked to Greenland’s geological past, when it passed through a region of intense volcanic activity.

The Importance of Temperature Models

The new regional temperature models have uncovered significant lateral variations in the thermal structure of the Earth beneath Greenland, offering valuable information about the island’s passage over the Icelandic hotspot. These differences help scientists better interpret Greenland’s tectonic history and its influence on the geophysical properties of the underlying rocks.

The temperature of rocks beneath the ice sheet plays a crucial role in the current behavior of the ice. Warmer conditions at the base can affect how the ice slides, the movement of the ground beneath it, and the interpretation of satellite measurements of the Earth’s surface.

Implications for Future Research and Climate

Glenn Milne, head of the Department and Professor at the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Ottawa, noted that this research expands our understanding of the internal structure of the Earth beneath Greenland. Temperature variations directly impact the interaction between the ice sheet and the bedrock, which must be considered when analyzing changes in land movement and gravity. These observations show how the ice sheet is responding to recent climate warming.

To create the 3D temperature model, the researchers analyzed a wide range of geophysical data, including seismic velocities, gravity anomalies, and heat flow. This comprehensive approach not only provides new insights into Greenland’s geological past but also enhances scientists’ ability to model future changes in the ice sheet.

Contribution to Sea Level Rise Predictions

By more accurately accounting for the interaction between the Earth’s internal heat and the ice sheet, researchers can improve simulations of ice loss and refine estimates of Greenland’s contribution to global sea level rise.

“This work clearly demonstrates how our knowledge of the solid Earth expands our ability to understand the climate system,” says Parviz Ajurlu, the study’s first author. “By improving models of the interaction between ice and the Earth’s crust, we can more accurately predict future sea level rise and plan appropriate measures.”