The emerging importance of ice-marginal lakes across Greenland

Ice-marginal lakes influence the dynamic behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets, impacting the rate at which they lose mass. In Greenland, accelerated ice loss over recent decades had led to an increase in the number of lakes bordering the ice sheet margin. This landscape evolution has sparked a growing field of research focused on quantitatively understanding the interactions between lakes and glaciers, so that ice-marginal lakes can be accounted for in models of ice sheet change. Ice loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet directly contributes to global sea level rise; understanding the drivers of this mass loss is important for accurately predicting future sea level. This article outlines recent advances in our understanding of lake−glacier interactions across Greenland during the past, present and future, and discusses key priorities for further research. We conclude by suggesting a series of activities that introduce Post-16 students to relevant datasets and techniques.