"Greenland's Ice Sheet Just Lost 11 Billion Tons Of Ice -- In One Day"

"After months of record temperatures, scientists say Greenland's ice sheet experienced its biggest melt of the summer on Thursday, losing 11 billion tons of surface ice to the ocean -- equivalent to 4.4 million Olympic swimming pools.

Greenland's ice sheet usually melts during the summer, but the melt season typically begins around the end of May; this year it began at the start. It has been melting "persistently" over the past four months, which have recorded all time temperature highs, according to Ruth Mottram, a climate scientist with Danish Meteorological Institute.

This July alone, Greenland's ice sheet lost 197 billion tons of ice -- the equivalent of around 80 million Olympic swimming pools -- according to Mottram. She told CNN the expected average would be between 60-70 billion tons at this time of year."

Mark Tutton reports for CNN August 2, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"The Greenland Ice Sheet Poured 197 Billion Tons Of Water Into The North Atlantic In July Alone" (Washington Post)

"The Greenland Ice Sheet Is In The Throes Of One Of Its Greatest Melting Events Ever Recorded" (Washington Post)

"Historic Greenland Melt Is 'Glimpse Of The Future'" (ClimateWire)