Antarctica's unexpected glacier mass gain: Climate stability hope?
Antarctica surprised scientists with a record increase in glacier mass from 2021 to 2023. Does this suggest climate stabilization?
Key information
- Antarctica recorded a significant increase in glacier mass from 2021 to 2023.
- The rise in glacier mass has contributed to a slower increase in sea levels.
- Scientists highlight 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 has unexpectedly increased in mass. This surprising discovery is notable given previous forecasts around glacier melting, which were anticipated to contribute to rising ocean levels. Details of the study were published in the journal "Science China Earth Sciences."
Weather anomalies and mass changes
The increase in glacier mass in Antarctica is due to anomalies in snowfall. From 2021 to 2023, the ice gained mass at an average rate of about 108 million metric tonnes per year, contributing to a slowdown in the global sea level rise by approximately 0.25 millimetres per year.
Despite this positive trend, scientists warn of the instability of the main ice areas. Previous research showed that the Antarctic ice sheet was losing mass at a rate of 74 million metric tonnes per year from 2002-2010, and this rate nearly doubled from 2011-2020.
Four crucial glaciers in the Wilkes Land region - Queen Mary Land, such as Totten and Denman, have shifted from accelerated mass loss to significant gain. Scientists stress 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 serve as a serious warning signal for climatologists. Further investigation into the stability of these regions is crucial for a better understanding of their impact on the global climate.
