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Widespread increase in dynamic imbalance in the Getz region of Antarctica from 1994 to 2018

Author

Listed:
  • Heather L. Selley

    (University of Leeds)

  • Anna E. Hogg

    (University of Leeds)

  • Stephen Cornford

    (Swansea University)

  • Pierre Dutrieux

    (Colombia University
    British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC))

  • Andrew Shepherd

    (University of Leeds)

  • Jan Wuite

    (ENVEO IT GmbH)

  • Dana Floricioiu

    (German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Remote Sensing Technology Institute)

  • Anders Kusk

    (Technical University of Denmark)

  • Thomas Nagler

    (ENVEO IT GmbH)

  • Lin Gilbert

    (University College London)

  • Thomas Slater

    (University of Leeds)

  • Tae-Wan Kim

    (Korea Polar Research Institute)

Abstract

The Getz region of West Antarctica is losing ice at an increasing rate; however, the forcing mechanisms remain unclear. Here we use satellite observations and an ice sheet model to measure the change in ice speed and mass balance of the drainage basin over the last 25-years. Our results show a mean increase in speed of 23.8 % between 1994 and 2018, with three glaciers accelerating by over 44 %. Speedup across the Getz basin is linear, with speedup and thinning directly correlated confirming the presence of dynamic imbalance. Since 1994, 315 Gt of ice has been lost contributing 0.9 ± 0.6 mm global mean sea level, with increased loss since 2010 caused by a snowfall reduction. Overall, dynamic imbalance accounts for two thirds of the mass loss from this region of West Antarctica over the past 25-years, with a longer-term response to ocean forcing the likely driving mechanism.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather L. Selley & Anna E. Hogg & Stephen Cornford & Pierre Dutrieux & Andrew Shepherd & Jan Wuite & Dana Floricioiu & Anders Kusk & Thomas Nagler & Lin Gilbert & Thomas Slater & Tae-Wan Kim, 2021. "Widespread increase in dynamic imbalance in the Getz region of Antarctica from 1994 to 2018," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-21321-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21321-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Frazer D. W. Christie & Eric J. Steig & Noel Gourmelen & Simon F. B. Tett & Robert G. Bingham, 2023. "Inter-decadal climate variability induces differential ice response along Pacific-facing West Antarctica," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Benjamin J. Davison & Anna E. Hogg & Richard Rigby & Sanne Veldhuijsen & Jan Melchior Wessem & Michiel R. Broeke & Paul R. Holland & Heather L. Selley & Pierre Dutrieux, 2023. "Sea level rise from West Antarctic mass loss significantly modified by large snowfall anomalies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.

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