6-8 November 2025 | Lancaster Castle, John O’Gaunt Gate
Glaciers and ice sheets appear permanent and still, changing only over centuries. But scientific research is showing us the opposite.
Ice sheets are constantly moving
Beneath their still white exterior, glaciers are dynamic and in constant motion, flowing anywhere from a few centimetres to several meters per day. The ice surface is constantly changing as crevasses split open and meltwater carves pathways through the ice. Meanwhile, ice continuously redistributes itself, melting and breaking away at the edges while fresh snow builds up at higher altitudes.
Underneath, hidden subglacial lakes form where meltwater accumulates on bedrock, trapped between the ice above and rock below. These mysterious lakes can sit in complete darkness for thousands of years. Some are stable, but others suddenly fill and drain, sending floods through channels beneath the ice that can speed up the flow of glaciers above them.
A light show that recreates ice in motion
This November, CPOM researcher Diego Moral Pombo from Lancaster University has partnered with photographer and media specialist James Hooton to create a stunning light installation projected onto Lancaster Castle’s historic John O’Gaunt Gate. The show brings ice sheets and glaciers to life, visualizing the hidden dynamics happening beneath the ice.
Discovering Greenland’s hidden lakes
An estimated 1,500-1,600 subglacial lakes lie hidden beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet, but less than 5% have been discovered so far. Recently, the Lancaster team discovered a subglacial lake that unexpectedly burst through the ice sheet, flooding across the surface.
Video Credit: ESA/CPOM/Planetary Visions
The GLOBE Project
Diego is part of a team of scientists working on the GLOBE (Greenland Subglacial Lake Observatory) Project, led by Professor Mal McMillan at Lancaster University. The project uses high-resolution satellite imaging and cutting-edge computer models to detect, monitor, and predict how these hidden lakes behave and how they affect the ice sheet above them.
Why this matters to all of us
The cryosphere (all of Earth’s ice) is a vital part of our planet. As temperatures rise, ice is melting faster. This has serious consequences:
- Sea Level Rise: The cryosphere contains enough water to raise global sea levels by over 65 meters (NASA Sea Level Change Portal), threatening coastal cities where billions live.
- Climate Regulation: Shrinking ice exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, accelerating warming and disrupting weather patterns worldwide.
- Ocean Circulation: Freshwater from melting ice can disrupt ocean currents that regulate climate and support marine life.
CPOM monitors ice from space using satellites and develops computer models to project future changes. Understanding subglacial lakes helps us better predict how quickly ice sheets might retreat and what that means for our future. This information helps governments plan any adaptations we might need to make to protect coastal communities and infrastructure.
About Diego Moral Pombo
Diego is a Senior Research Associate in Ice Sheet Geodesy at Lancaster University. He joined CPOM in 2024 and focuses on detecting and tracking lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet using satellite elevation data. Diego completed his MA in Astrophysics and PhD in Space Physics at Lancaster, where he analysed auroras on Jupiter.
Polar science for the whole family
Explore our classroom resources including puzzles, activities and videos about ice sheets and climate.
