Latest news with #ScienceChinaEarthSciences
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
Antarctic ice has grown again – but this does not buck overall melt trend
A new study shows that after decades of rapid decline, the Antarctic ice sheet actually gained mass from 2021 to 2023. This is a reminder that climate change does not follow a smooth path but a jagged one, with many small ups and downs within a larger trend. The research, published in the journal Science China Earth Sciences, showed that while the ice sheet lost an average of 142bn tonnes each year in the 2010s, in the 2021 to 2023 period it gained about 108bn tonnes of ice each year. The study focused on four massive glacier basins and concluded that the increase in the early 2020s was caused by greater snowfall, particularly in eastern Antarctica. Extreme snowfall events, due to the warmer atmosphere holding more moisture, are an expected effect of climate change. But Antarctica has been losing ice since the 1980s, and it would take about 50 years of snowfall at the increased level to get back to previous levels. More recent Nasa data suggests the snowfall trend observed in the report had disappeared by 2025, with precipitation dropping back to pre-2020 levels. As the Chinese researchers note, the pattern of Antarctic ice loss is 'a critical climate warning signal'. The situation is complex, and the process of developing a full understanding continues.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned after detecting unexpected shift in Antarctic Ice Sheet: 'A historic turnaround'
Scientists have observed an encouraging trend in growth in the Antarctic Ice Sheet but remain cautious about the climate's future. A study published in Science China Earth Sciences found that the AIS had a record-breaking gain in mass between 2021 and 2023, most likely due to a pattern of unusual precipitation, per a report from KTVU. "[The study] found that between 2011 and 2020, the AIS was losing ice at a rate of 142 gigatons per year," the outlet stated. "But between 2021 and 2023, the trend reversed, with the ice sheet gaining approximately 108 gigatons per year — a historic turnaround." According to the KTVU report, the most notable gains for the AIS were in the East Antarctica's Wilkes Land and Queen Mary Land regions, including the Totten, Denman, Moscow University, and Vincennes Bay glacier basins, which had been losing mass at an accelerating rate from 2011 to 2020 but appear to now have at least partially recovered. That growth also helped temporarily offset rising global sea levels by 0.3 millimeters per year during that two-year span. The AIS holds 90% of the freshwater on the planet, and if it was to melt, it would increase sea levels around the world — devastating coastlines, displacing people, and causing untold environmental alterations, according to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. While the news about the AIS gains is positive, KTVU explained that scientists stressed that the climate crisis is far from over and that the gains could likely be attributed to unusual precipitation patterns, something that is also a sign of rising temperatures. As the EPA explained, warmer oceans increase the amount of water that evaporates into the air, which leads to more intense rain and snowfall when the moisture-laden air converges with a storm system. In May 2025, scientists warned that current projections may underestimate the impact of subglacial water, which forms when the base of the ice sheet melts due to either ice movement or geothermal heat from bedrock. They predicted the effects of subglacial water could contribute 2.2 meters (about 7.2 feet) to sea-level rise by 2300. How often do you feel hopeful about the future of the planet when you read news stories or watch entertainment content? Often Sometimes Rarely Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Post
05-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Antarctic ice has made a surprising rebound in mass, scientists say
The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) has shown signs of record-breaking growth after decades of contributing to global sea-level rise — but experts warn this doesn't mean the climate-change crisis is over. A study published in Science China Earth Sciences revealed that between 2021 and 2023, the AIS gained mass at a rate of 108 gigatons per year — a remarkable reversal from the rapid loss seen in previous years. This graph shows the shift in ice mass between 2021 and 2023. Science China Press The researchers analyzed data from the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) and GRACE-FO (GRACE Follow-On) missions, which measure changes in Earth's gravity field to track ice mass fluctuations. They found that the AIS had been losing ice at a rate of 142 gigatons per year from 2011 to 2020. That accelerated mass loss was mainly driven by the destabilization of glaciers in West Antarctica and the Wilkes Land–Queen Mary Land (WL-QML) region of East Antarctica. However, the recent period from 2021 to 2023 saw a dramatic shift, with ice mass in East Antarctica particularly showing signs of recovery. Notably, four major glacier basins in the WL-QML region — Totten, Moscow University, Denman and Vincennes Bay — had been losing the most mass, with ice discharge and surface melting responsible for much of the loss. But between 2021 and 2023, those glaciers experienced significant mass gain, reversing the accelerated loss they had undergone. Icebergs are shown at the Larsen B Ice Shelf, located in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica. VWPics via AP Images The researchers attribute this rebound to unusual increases in precipitation, which led to an accumulation of snow and ice. This unexpected mass gain temporarily offset global sea level rise by about 0.3 millimeters per year — a small but notable increase. While this development is a glimmer of hope, scientists caution that it may not signal a long-term trend. The Antarctic Ice Sheet, which holds more than half of the world's freshwater, plays a crucial role in global sea-level rise. Its rapid melting has been one of the largest contributors to rising oceans, alongside Greenland's ice loss and thermal expansion of warming seas.
News18
05-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Ice Gains In East Antarctica Mark Unexpected Reversal After Decades Of Melting
Last Updated: When the ice of the glacier melts, it increases the flow of water in the oceans. If all glaciers and ice sheets melted, the global sea level would rise by more than 195 feet. After melting for several years, Antarctica's ice sheet has shown a dramatic reversal between 2021 and 2023. Marking an unusual turn during these years, Antarctica recorded a net gain of 107.79 gigatons of ice per year. During the time period between 2002 to 2010, Antarctica lost ice at a rate of 73.79 gigatons per year. It increased to 142.06 gigatons annually between 2011 and 2020, according to a study published by Science China Earth Sciences. However, Antarctica gained ice during 2021 and 2023. The gain was noted mainly in four East Antarctic glacier basins — Totten, Moscow, Denman, and Vincennes Bay. Before the reported ice gains, these four areas were losing mass due to faster ice discharge and reduced surface accumulation. What Happens When Ice Of Glaciers Melts? According to NASA, the earth's water is stored in glaciers all around the world and in both the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. When the ice melts, it increases the flow of water in the oceans, thus leading to a rise in sea levels. If all glaciers and ice sheets melted, the global sea level would rise by more than 195 feet (60 meters). First Published: May 05, 2025, 11:43 IST
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Antarctica gains ice for first time in decades, reversing trend of mass loss, study finds
The Brief The Antarctic Ice Sheet gained mass between 2021 and 2023, a dramatic reversal from decades of loss. Four key glacier basins in East Antarctica showed significant growth due to increased snowfall. The mass gain briefly contributed to a decrease in global sea level rise, according to satellite data. A surprising shift is underway at the bottom of the world. After decades of contributing to rising sea levels, Antarctica's massive ice sheet has started growing again — at least for now. A study published this week in Science China Earth Sciences finds that the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) experienced a record-breaking mass gain between 2021 and 2023, largely due to anomalous increases in precipitation. The rebound is especially significant in East Antarctica, where four major glacier basins had previously shown signs of destabilization. Big picture view Researchers from Tongji University and other institutions analyzed satellite gravimetry data from the GRACE and GRACE-FO missions, which measure variations in Earth's gravity to detect changes in ice mass. They found that between 2011 and 2020, the AIS was losing ice at a rate of 142 gigatons per year. But between 2021 and 2023, the trend reversed, with the ice sheet gaining approximately 108 gigatons per year — a historic turnaround. That growth was enough to temporarily offset global sea level rise by about 0.3 millimeters per year during the same period. The most notable gains were in East Antarctica's Wilkes Land and Queen Mary Land region, including the Totten, Denman, Moscow University, and Vincennes Bay glacier basins. These glaciers had been losing mass at an accelerating rate from 2011 to 2020 — driven by surface melting and faster ice discharge into the ocean — but now appear to have partially recovered. Scientists warn, however, that this shift doesn't mean the climate crisis is over. The gains were linked to unusual precipitation patterns, which may be temporary. What's next The Antarctic Ice Sheet holds more than half of the world's fresh water. For decades, it's been one of the largest contributors to sea level rise, alongside Greenland's melting ice and thermal expansion of warming oceans. This new period of growth is both a surprise and a reminder of how dynamic and sensitive polar regions are to climate shifts. If similar conditions persist, they could reshape near-term sea level predictions. But most scientists stress the rebound is likely temporary unless supported by larger climatic trends. The Source This story is based on the peer-reviewed study "Spatiotemporal mass change rate analysis from 2002 to 2023 over the Antarctic Ice Sheet and four glacier basins in Wilkes-Queen Mary Land" published March 19, 2025, in Science China Earth Sciences. This story was reported from Los Angeles.
