The Shocking Record of Greenland’s Ice Melt: Huskies ‘Walking on Water’

In June 2019, a photograph taken by climate scientist Steffen Olsen captured worldwide attention. The striking image showed a group of Siberian huskies seemingly walking on water in an unusual landscape in Greenland. The photo quickly went viral, highlighting the alarming speed of ice melt in the region.

Olsen, a member of the Danish Meteorological Institute and leader of the European project Blue Action, which studies climate change in the Arctic, captured the moment during a scientific expedition. The team was monitoring sea and ice conditions in Inglefield Bredning, a vast region of sea ice in northwest Greenland, and needed to retrieve equipment installed during the winter.

However, what they found was unexpected. The ice was covered by a thin layer of melted water, the result of rapid warming. “It was frightening to realize how quickly the ice was melting beneath our feet,” Olsen reported. “The local hunters and I couldn’t find dry spots to remove the dogs and equipment. We had to turn back to the coast.”

For many people, the image was surprising and awe-inspiring. However, for the scientist, it was a concerning warning. “People saw something beautiful, but I saw an alarming sign of climate change,” he said. According to him, the huskies were walking on a layer of water that reached ankle height, covering the sea ice.

The huskies, which normally avoid water, seemed less uncomfortable due to the intense heat. That day, temperatures reached 14°C (57°F), an unusual occurrence for the region. The early melting was not an isolated event. In 2019, Greenland’s ice began melting in April, about six to eight weeks ahead of the average recorded between 1981 and 2020. According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 95% of the island’s ice cover was affected.

Melting events of this magnitude usually occur at the end of the season, between June and July. However, the intensity and early onset of this event surprised even experienced scientists. “In my 15 years of research in Greenland, I’ve only seen something similar once. Local residents told me that such an extreme event should only happen once every 100 years,” Olsen stated.

The image remains a powerful symbol of climate change and the direct impact of global warming on the planet’s poles. This episode reinforces the urgency of taking action to curb ice melt and preserve the Arctic ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in global climate balance.

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