Antarctica's unexpected ice gain: Anomaly or climate shift?
Antarctica surprised scientists with a record increase in glacier mass from 2021 to 2023. Does this indicate climate stabilization?
Key information
- Antarctica recorded a record increase in glacier mass from 2021 to 2023.
- The increase in glacier mass slowed the rise in sea level.
- Scientists emphasize the instability of the main ice areas.
Record increase in glacier mass
Scientists from China's Tongji University announced that between 2021 and 2023, the Antarctic ice sheet unexpectedly increased its mass. This surprising discovery is noteworthy given previous forecasts regarding glacier melting, which were expected to contribute to rising ocean levels. The scientists' study was described in the journal "Science China Earth Sciences."
Weather anomalies and mass changes
The increase in glacier mass in Antarctica is the result of anomalies in snowfall. From 2021 to 2023, the ice gained mass at an average rate of approximately 108 million metric tonnes per year, which contributed to a slowdown in the global sea level rise by about 0.25 millimetres per year.
Despite this positive trend, scientists warn about the instability of the main ice areas. Previous studies showed that the Antarctic ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of approximately 73 million metric tonnes per year from 2002 to 2010, and this rate nearly doubled from 2011 to 2020.
Four key glaciers in the Wilkes Land region—such as Totten and Denman—shifted from accelerated mass loss to significant gain. Scientists emphasize that the total collapse of these glaciers could cause sea levels to rise by over 7 metres.
What's next for Antarctica?
The observed changes in glacier mass represent a serious warning signal for climatologists. Further research into the stability of these regions is necessary to better understand their impact on the global climate.
