Mass gains of the Antarctic ice sheet exceed losses

• DOI: 10.3189/2015jog15j071
• Publication Date: 2015-10-30T22:20:33Z
• Authors: H. Jay Zwally; Jun Li; John W. Robbins; Jack L. Saba; Donghui Yi; Anita C. Brenner
• Keywords: Thinning; Future sea level; Greenland ice sheet; Antarctic ice sheet; Peninsula; Glacier mass balance

Abstract Mass changes of the Antarctic ice sheet impact sea-level rise as climate changes, but recent rates have been uncertain. Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) data (2003–08) show mass gains from snow accumulation exceeded discharge losses by 82 ± 25 Gt a −1 , reducing global 0.23 mm . European Remote-sensing (ERS) (1992–2001) give similar gain 112 61 Gains 136 in East Antarctica (EA) 72 four drainage systems (WA2) West (WA) exceed 97 three coastal (WA1) 29 Peninsula (AP). EA dynamic thickening 147 is continuing response to increased (>50%) since early Holocene. Recent loss 11 indicates not contemporaneous snowfall increases. Similarly, WA2 mainly (60 ) thickening. In WA1 AP, 66 16 thinning accelerating glaciers are 50% offset greater WA snowfall. The decadal increase AP approximately one-third long-term WA2, which should buffer additional for decades.