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Trillions of Tons of Ice Lost: Coastlines at Risk
16 Sep
Summary
- Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice since 1979.
- This ice loss has contributed 1.24 inches to global sea-level rise.
- Ice sheet melting is a major driver, causing 25% of all sea-level rise.
Satellite data spanning from the 1970s to 2023 has documented significant ice losses from Greenland and Antarctica. Over this period, a staggering 11.3 trillion tons of ice have melted, contributing 1.24 inches to the worldwide sea-level rise. This extensive ice loss has been accelerating, increasing by a factor of four between the 1980s and 2010s.
These changes are a direct consequence of human-caused global climate change. Approximately 60% of the ice loss originated from Greenland, with the remaining 40% from Antarctica. The study highlights that glacier flow into the ocean, rather than surface melting, is the primary driver, indicating the ice sheets' response to a warming ocean.
The implications for coastal regions are severe, as each additional centimeter of sea-level rise puts millions at risk of annual flooding. The researchers emphasize the urgent need for global coastal planning to safeguard communities against the impacts of this ongoing ice sheet melt.
