Greenland's ice sheet holds enough water to raise global sea levels by several meters.
Researchers used a network of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations to track how the ground shifted and flexed as meltwater collected and moved.
The bedrock moved as much as 5 millimeters during the height of the summer melt, indicating the presence of hidden meltwater.
The study reveals that meltwater spends months collecting in subterranean pools before reaching the ocean, contrary to current climate models.