It has also been suggested¹⁷ that changes in atmospheric temperature during the 1990s influenced the change in Jakobshavn Isbræ behaviour. Analysis of such air temperature data does show gradual changes in air temperature on decadal timescales, but no abrupt change that would explain the Jakobshavn Isbræ 1997 event. Our analysis of other atmospheric, sea-ice and surface ocean temperature records did not reveal any change particular to 1997. Moreover, a review of the measured elevation-change rates at many locations around the coast of Greenland¹⁸ shows comparatively slow thinning on nearby glaciers with shallower beds than Jakobshavn Isbræ, despite experiencing similar warmer air temperatures and enhanced summer melting. In contrast, two other deep-bed glaciers—Helheim and Kangerdlugssuaq on the east coast—have also undergone massive recent thinning¹⁸.