Meteorological Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
    • G-P
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
    • R-S
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
    • T-Z
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • April 2023
    • September 2022
    • April 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
Subscribe
Meteorological Technology International
  • News
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2023
    2. September 2022
    3. April 2022
    4. September 2021
    5. Archive Issues
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – April 2023

    By Web TeamApril 18, 2023
    Recent

    In this Issue – April 2023

    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2022

    August 12, 2022

    April 2022 issue is now available online!

    April 12, 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Meteorological Technology International
Satellites

Satellite data informs study showing rapid movement of Antarctic glaciers

Lawrence ButcherBy Lawrence ButcherFebruary 26, 20214 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Share
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email

According to a new study, titled Widespread increase in dynamic imbalance in the Getz region of Antarctica from 1994 to 2018, published in the journal Nature Communications, glaciers in West Antarctica are moving more quickly from land into the ocean, contributing to rising global sea levels. A 25-year record of satellite observations was used to show widespread increases in ice speed across the Getz sector for the first time, with some ice accelerating into the ocean by nearly 50%.

The study reports that 14 glaciers in the Getz region are thinning and flowing more quickly. Between 1994 and 2018, 315 gigatons of ice was lost, adding 0.9mm to global mean sea level – equivalent to 126 million Olympic swimming pools of water.

The results show that, on average, the speed of all 14 glaciers has increased by almost a quarter, with three glaciers speeding up by over 44%. The study’s authors note that this research will help scientists determine whether glaciers in the region may collapse in the next few decades and how this could affect the rise in global sea levels in the future.

Heather Selley, lead author of the study and a glaciologist at the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds, said, “The Getz region of Antarctica is so remote that humans have never set foot on most of this part of the continent. Satellite radar altimetry records have shown substantial thinning of the ice sheet. However, the high rates of increased glacier speed – coupled with ice thinning – now confirm the Getz basin is in ‘dynamic imbalance’, meaning that it is losing more ice than it gains through snowfall.

“Using a combination of observations and modeling, we show highly localized patterns of acceleration. For instance, we observe the greatest change in the central region of Getz, with one glacier flowing 391m/year faster in 2018 than in 1994. This is a substantial change as it is now flowing at a rate of 669m/year, a 59% increase in just two and a half decades.”

The research, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the European Space Agency (ESA), also shows how the widely reported thinning and acceleration observed in the neighboring Amundsen Sea glaciers now extends over 1,000km along the West Antarctic coastline into Getz.

Dr Anna Hogg, study co-author and climate researcher in the University of Leeds School of Earth and Environment, added, “The pattern of glacier acceleration shows the highly localized response to ocean dynamics. High-resolution satellite observations from satellites such as ESA’s Sentinel-1, which collects a new image every six days, mean we can measure localized speed changes with ever greater detail.

“Consistent and extensive sampling of both ice speed and ocean temperature are needed to further our understanding of the dynamic ice loss, which now accounts for 98.8% of Antarctica’s sea level contribution.”

By examining 25 years of ocean measurements, the research team was able to show complex and annual variations in ocean temperatures. These results suggest that the dynamic imbalance is mainly caused by longer-term ocean forcing, where increased heat content in the ocean is interacting with the ice and enhancing melt.

Pierre Dutrieux, study co-author and climate researcher at British Antarctic Survey, concluded, “We know that warmer ocean waters are eroding many of West Antarctica’s glaciers, and these new observations demonstrate the impact this is having on the Getz region. This new data will provide a new perspective on the processes taking place, so we can predict future change with more certainty.”

The research team was led by the University of Leeds and included members from Swansea University, Columbia University, British Antarctic Survey, ENVEO IT GmbH, the Remote Sensing Technology Institute in Germany, the University of Denmark, University College London and the Korea Polar Research Institute.

Previous ArticleClimaCell to launch own radar satellite constellation
Next Article Wildfire mapping service to harness Earth observation, cloud computing and AI

Read Similar Stories

Radar

NCAR airborne phased-array weather radar secures funding

June 2, 20235 Mins Read
Climate Measurement

Met Office partners with FAAM Airborne Laboratory to improve summer storm predictions

June 2, 20232 Mins Read
Climate Measurement

Air Canada aircraft equipped with sensors to gather climate measurements

May 30, 20232 Mins Read
Latest News

NCAR airborne phased-array weather radar secures funding

June 2, 2023

Met Office partners with FAAM Airborne Laboratory to improve summer storm predictions

June 2, 2023

Vaisala celebrates 40 years of operating US lightning detection network

June 1, 2023

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • Baron
Latest Job Postings
  • Sailing Weather Specialist

    • Remote
    • SeaTactics
    • Part Time
  • SALES MANAGER

    • Erftstadt, Germany
    • GWU-Umwelttechnik GmbH
    • Full Time
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
© 2023 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by