EARTH Greenland -- 25 Jul 2005 -- The Greenland Ice Cap (northeastern coast) in the height of summer.

EARTH Greenland -- 25 Jul 2005 -- The Greenland Ice Cap (northeastern coast) in the height of summer. Due to global warming, this huge deposit of water is melting, threatening to push sea levels up in the future by upto 7 metres. Greenland’s coast is riddled with fjords—glacier-carved canyons flooded by seawater. In several of the fjords, the water appears pale turquoise, in contrast to the dark blue of the ocean water. This lighter shade results from fine sediment. The sediment particles are small enough to remain suspended in water, lightening its color. East of the network of fjords, pale blue sea ice swirls along Greenland’s coast in a paisley pattern. These intricate shapes in the sea ice result from ocean currents moving in opposite directions. Immediately east of the coast is a southward current. East of that, a different ocean current heads north. The currents brushing past each other constantly push the sea ice in different directions -- Picture by Lightroom Photos / NASA