Greenland has been suffering from ice loss due to this Arctic "amplification" which is a grave effect that can change the climate of the world, according to a new study.

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As Greenland is melting, this is most likely driving the loss of ice cover over the rest of the Arctic region and continent. This melting results in a rapid rise in temperatures in higher altitudes as opposed to other parts of the northern hemisphere, which is now called Arctic amplification. When ice disappears, oceans appear darker which are caused by the absorption of thermal radiation from the sun, creating this feedback loop, and ultimately increases warming in the Arctic.

Last year, the disappearing ice cover on Greenland forced this jet stream over land toward the north, which is the farthest in the north, breaking previous records that year. Winds typically originate from the western direction towards the east, and now completely switching back over Greenland from east to the western direction.

According to Thomas Mote from the University of Georgia, last year was remarkable in terms of extensive melting occurring on the northern reaches of the ice sheet, which is a region that normally experiences a modest melt as opposed to the south of Greenland. This unusual configuration of this jet stream across northern Greenland created this melt pattern.

The second largest ice sheet in the world is located in Greenland, where the largest ice sheet is in Antarctica. When all of these sheets melt, sea levels on the planet will rise at an average of 23 feet.

Arctic amplification is not a new process as this phenomenon has been documented over the decades, however its effects on climate has been debated. Some experts believe that warmer air can reverse this jet stream, that can reduce the temperature differences between the Arctic and lower, warmer regions but this would require large amounts of humid air travelling more to northern latitudes.

Researchers believe that Arctic amplification is one of the major causes of the rapid melting rates of the Arctic, where further studies aim to measure this pattern over time, leading to more evidence.

This new study is published in the journal Nature Communications.

Tagsgreenland, ice sheet greenland melting, arctic amplification, Climate Change, greenland melting, arctic ice sheet, Arctic region