Pacific Northwest sees melting glaciers impact conditions, ocean systems

BOISE, Idaho — Scientists across the Pacific Northwest are wrapping up summer research on the status of local glaciers – some of which are melting at record speed and impacting the region.

Melting glaciers can mean much more than rising sea levels – research reveals it also fundamentally changes the ocean's circulation, temperature and chemistry in way that could impact coasts in the Northwest.

The Earth's glaciers hold massive amounts of frozen water, and as they melt at unprecedented rates, they are creating unexpected consequences for oceans.

"The ice sheets have these huge amounts of liquid water locked into them. It's frozen right now, but if it melts, it goes out in the oceans, and that causes sea level to rise," said Ellyn Enderlin an associate professor in the Department of Ge