An international team of scientists has launched a major research expedition to Greenland to study the rapid melting of glaciers and its potential impact on Atlantic Ocean currents, global sea levels and Europe’s climate. The findings will help improve future climate prediction models and early warning systems.

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• An international team of around 80 scientists and crew members has begun a research mission to Greenland.
• The expedition will be conducted aboard the RSS David Attenborough polar research vessel.
• The mission will last approximately five to six weeks.
• Scientists will study the rapid melting of Greenland’s glaciers.
• The project aims to understand how glacier melt affects the Atlantic Ocean circulation system.
• Large amounts of freshwater entering the ocean could disrupt major Atlantic Ocean currents.
• Changes in ocean currents may lead to extreme weather, rising sea levels and climate changes in Europe.
• The expedition is part of the GIANT (Greenland Ice Sheet to Atlantic Tipping Points) research programme.
• The project seeks to improve understanding of glacier behaviour and climate tipping points.
• Researchers will collect data on how glaciers melt and break into the sea.
• The mission will use the Boaty McBoatface autonomous underwater vehicle for deep-sea exploration.
• The underwater vehicle will map glacier formations up to 1,500 metres below the surface.
• The collected data will support next-generation climate models.
• The research will also help develop early warning systems for glacier collapse.
• The expedition highlights the growing need to understand the impacts of global climate change and protect vulnerable ecosystems.