Surface lake on Greenland Ice Sheet (IMAGE) University of Cambridge Caption Lakes form on the surface of the Greenland ice sheet each summer as the weather warms. They exist for weeks or months but can drain in a matter of hours due to hydrofracturing, transferring millions of cubic metres of water and heat to the base of the ice sheet. Now, Cambridge researchers have used satellites to 'see in the dark' and show that these lakes can also drain in the winter. Credit Ian Willis Usage Restrictions Credit: Ian Willis License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.