A. A map of ocean currents
B. A map showing valleys beneath the ice sheet
C. A map of underground volcanoes
D. A map of ancient forests
In September 2026, NASA scientists announced a new map of the terrain hidden beneath Greenland’s Ice Sheet. The mapping work connected hundreds of valleys that earlier maps had either missed or shown only as separate fragments.
Understanding the landscape beneath Greenland’s enormous ice sheet is important for studying how ice moves across the island. Subglacial valleys and other features can influence the movement of ice toward the ocean, making this type of mapping useful for understanding Greenland’s changing ice sheet.