Source: Massive subsurface ice formed by refreezing of ice-shelf melt ponds : Nature Communications : Nature Research In this study they looked at the Larsen C Ice Shelf and found the subsurface temperature to be ~10C warmer than the surface due to heat released from refreezing the surface melt water ponds. The importance is warmer ice is more ductile ... it can stretch. This in turn can lead to faster motion towards the sea. Fascinating study because it helps explain some parts of sea rise as the land based glaciers, especially Greenland but all of them, move off land. Perhaps @mojo might take a read since it is unlikely his usual sources would pay any attention. After all, it begs the question of what cause the snow/ice on the surface to melt in the first place. It also begs the question of why a soon to be 'quiet sun' might be melting the surfaces of these massive snow and ice formations. Hummm, I know some satellite based, radar metrics stop during the warm season because of the melt water. But perhaps the melt water surface area may have utility as a survey of the surface temperatures. The hard 0C threshold for ice vs water and measured areas might yet be useful. Bob Wilson
