Polar ice melt accelerates: 12.5 trillion tons lost since 1979
An estimated 12.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from Greenland and Antarctica since 1979, contributing to rising sea levels and increasing coastal vulnerability.
Approximately 12.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica since 1979, according to a major scientific report. This volume of frozen water is equivalent to a 5-foot-deep layer of ice spread across the continental United States.
Scientists report that a warming Earth is accelerating the melt of the planet's two major ice sheets. The study, published in the journal Scientific Data, indicates that about five-sixths of the melt is due to warmer ocean waters eroding the ice from below and the sides, rather than from atmospheric warming. This meltwater has raised global sea levels by approximately 3.1 centimeters.
The research reveals a clear trend of increasing ice loss over the decades, with a significant acceleration observed particularly in the 2010s. While there have been short-term fluctuations, the long-term trajectory shows a consistent acceleration. Scientists link this trend directly to climate change.
Researchers express concern about the accelerating melt rates and their potential implications, including ice sheet instability and the risk of triggering irreversible 'tipping points'. They note that the effects of climate change on ice sheets manifest with a decades-long lag, suggesting continued melting even if global warming were to cease.
The international study utilized data from 45 independent surveys and 27 satellites, providing a robust analysis of ice volume changes since 1979. The findings confirm a clear and alarming trend of ice loss, posing a significant threat to coastal regions worldwide.