ESA · Space

Polar Ice Loss Driven by Faster Glaciers

Satellite data shows Greenland and Antarctica lost 11 trillion tonnes of ice since the 1970s, raising sea levels. Faster glacier flow, not just melting, is the main cause.

The longest satellite record, from 1972/1979, reveals 11.3 trillion tonnes lost by 2023, raising sea levels by 3.14 cm.

Greenland contributed 1.81 cm and Antarctica 1.33 cm. 84% of loss was from accelerated glacier flow.

Ice loss accelerated from the 1990s. Greenland's annual loss rose from 60 billion tonnes (1980s) to 264 billion (2010s).

Antarctica's losses increased from 48 billion tonnes to 202 billion tonnes. This was driven by ocean melting and glacier acceleration.

Recent slowdowns are short-term variations, not a trend reversal. Ice sheets remain in net loss.

Ice sheet response is the largest uncertainty in sea-level rise projections.

This long-term record is vital for assessing risks to coastal communities and improving future projections.

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