Secrets beneath the Ice
Welcome to Secrets Beneath the ICE
Where Ice Tells a Hidden Story
The largest bodies of land-based ice on Earth are found in Greenland and Antarctica. These massive ice sheets store most of the planet’s freshwater and play a crucial role in regulating our climate. Unlike sea ice, which floats on the ocean, land-based ice contributes directly to sea level rise when it melts.
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Today, both ice sheets are losing ice at an accelerating rate. While Antarctica often gets the spotlight, Greenland has become one of the biggest contributors to rising seas.
And the story isn’t just about melting from the warm air. Water is finding its way through cracks, carving tunnels and rivers deep inside the ice, and draining lakes. These hidden processes are speeding up ice loss in ways most scientific models don’t yet account for.
But before we explore what’s happening beneath the surface, let’s take a step back to understand where these ice sheets are and why their melting matters for everyone.
Watch the short video below to find out more
Credit: NASA
​​Ready to Explore?
You’re about to explore how cracks in the ice and hidden rivers below shape the future of our oceans and coastlines, including yours.​ Click through to follow the journey, see real scientific data, and discover how it all connects to rising seas and climate action.