Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have significantly accelerated their mass loss since 1992
In short: Researchers analyzing nearly three decades of satellite data found that the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets have contributed 21.0 mm to global mean sea levels between 1992 and 2020. The study shows that the rate of ice loss has more than tripled over this period, with the most rapid melting occurring in the last few years.
The study combined 50 independent estimates of ice sheet mass balance, including data on ice flow, volume changes, and Earth's gravity field. While Greenland shows high year-to-year variability in surface mass balance, Antarctica's losses are primarily driven by West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.
A major limitation of this data is the high level of uncertainty regarding East Antarctica, which currently remains close to a state of balance but is the least certain component of the overall mass balance.
Why it matters: The pace of polar ice melt is accelerating, providing a clearer picture of how rapidly our oceans are rising.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Otosaka et al. (2023). Mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets from 1992 to 2020. Earth system science data. · cc-by
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