PHD scientist Ian Bartholomew using dye tracing techniques as part of a study to measure the speed of the Russell Glacier near Kangerlussuag Greenland The study is looking at how increasing quantities of melt water caused by climate change are affecting the glaciers speed which like most glaciers in Greenland has speeded up considerably in the last 20 years It is thought that the meltwater helps lubricates the glaciers base enabling it to flow faster As part of the study reflective poles were drilled 4 metres into the ice to measure their speed at various positions on the glacier Within a month all the poles had fallen over as the glacier melted down over 4 metres
