Is it possible to stabilize glaciers and should we try?

The flow speed of glaciers is governed by the interplay of multiple tightly coupled processes including ice flow, meltwater production and routing, fracture, sediment transport, and interactions with the atmosphere and ocean. These processes operate across vastly different spatial and temporal scales, from microscopic grain deformation to kilometer-scale flow and from seasonal melt pulses to millennial ice buildup. Small changes in one component, such as a shift in subglacial water pressure or sur-face melt intensity, can cascade through the system, altering friction, accelerating flow, and reshaping the glacial bed. Feedbacks — both stabilizing and destabilizing — are ubiquitous, making some glaciers highly sensitive to external forcing. This sensitivity entails risks and opportunities. The risks are evidenced by glaciers around the world collapsing at an accelerating pace as our climate continues to warm. The opportunities lie in designing targeted interventions that could stabilize glaciers. In this talk, I will explore the idea of stabilizing glaciers by removing or freezing water underneath the ice to increase friction and slow glacial motion. I will discuss progress to date, open questions and associated risks.