Characteristics, recent evolution, and ongoing retreat of Hunt Fjord Ice Shelf, northern Greenland

Abstract Arctic ice shelves have declined over the past several decades, one of many indications a rapidly changing cryosphere. Here we use collection off-nadir Landsat 8 images, 1978 digital orthophotograph and photogrammetrically derived DEM, satellite altimetry other data to examine causes an ice-shelf retreat in northernmost Greenland, Hunt Fjord Ice Shelf (HFIS). HFIS has distinct provenance regions comprised glacier-derived corrugated multi-decadal fast ice, with varying thicknesses (5–64 m). Available imagery shows little change between 2012, after which midsummer calving events occurred (2012, 2016 2019) that reduced by 42.5 km 2 (~56%). area losses began as number surface melt days on adjacent sheet more than doubled relative 1980s. Recent also during open-water periods at front. Prior mid-2012, there were no similar periods. tributary glaciers thinned 3–20 m near their grounding zones, may accelerated since 1980s, likely due increased basal melting from contact warm Atlantic Water.