Articles | Volume 10, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1679-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1679-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Research article
| 
02 Aug 2016
Research article |
| 02 Aug 2016
Greenland annual accumulation along the EGIG line, 1959–2004, from ASIRAS airborne radar and neutron-probe density measurements
Thomas B. Overly
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
Robert L. Hawley
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
Veit Helm
Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven, Germany
Elizabeth M. Morris
Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, UK
Rohan N. Chaudhary
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
Related authors
No articles found.
Angelika Humbert, Veit Helm, Ole Zeising, Niklas Neckel, Matthias H. Braun, Shfaqat Abbas Khan, Martin Rückamp, Holger Steeb, Julia Sohn, Matthias Bohnen, and Ralf Müller
The Cryosphere, 19, 3009–3032, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3009-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3009-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We study the evolution of a massive lake on the Greenland Ice Sheet using satellite and airborne data and some modelling. The lake is emptying rapidly. Water flows to the glacier's base through cracks and triangular-shaped moulins that remain visible over the years. Some of them become reactivated. We find features inside the glacier that stem from drainage events with a width of even 1 km. These features are persistent over the years, although they are changing in shape.
Derek J. Pickell, Robert L. Hawley, Denis Felikson, and Jamie C. Good
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2683, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2683, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
We compared satellite measurements of ice surface height in Greenland with ground-based observations, revealing sub-centimeter accuracy of the satellite instrument. We also demonstrated a new autonomous method using reflected radio signals to measure the surface without human traverses. This method produces comparable results, and we find no long-term changes in satellite performance to date.
Shfaqat A. Khan, Helene Seroussi, Mathieu Morlighem, William Colgan, Veit Helm, Gong Cheng, Danjal Berg, Valentina R. Barletta, Nicolaj K. Larsen, William Kochtitzky, Michiel van den Broeke, Kurt H. Kjær, Andy Aschwanden, Brice Noël, Jason E. Box, Joseph A. MacGregor, Robert S. Fausto, Kenneth D. Mankoff, Ian M. Howat, Kuba Oniszk, Dominik Fahrner, Anja Løkkegaard, Eigil Y. H. Lippert, Alicia Bråtner, and Javed Hassan
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 3047–3071, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3047-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3047-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The surface elevation of the Greenland Ice Sheet is changing due to surface mass balance processes and ice dynamics, each exhibiting distinct spatiotemporal patterns. Here, we employ satellite and airborne altimetry data with fine spatial (1 km) and temporal (monthly) resolutions to document this spatiotemporal evolution from 2003 to 2023. This dataset of fine-resolution altimetry data in both space and time will support studies of ice mass loss and be useful for GIS ice sheet modeling.
Matthias O. Willen, Bert Wouters, Taco Broerse, Eric Buchta, and Veit Helm
The Cryosphere, 19, 2213–2227, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2213-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2213-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in the Amundsen Sea Embayment is likely in the near future. Vertical uplift of bedrock due to glacial isostatic adjustment stabilizes the ice sheet and may delay its collapse. So far, only spatially and temporally sparse GPS measurements have been able to observe this bedrock motion. We have combined satellite data and quantified a region-wide bedrock motion that independently matches GPS measurements. This can improve ice sheet predictions.
Steven Franke, Mara Neudert, Veit Helm, Arttu Jutila, Océane Hames, Niklas Neckel, Stefanie Arndt, and Christian Haas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2657, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2657, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
Our research explored how icebergs affect the distribution of snow and flooding on Antarctic coastal sea ice. Using aircraft-based radar and laser scanning, we found that icebergs create thick snow drifts on their wind-facing sides and leave snow-free zones in their lee. The weight of these snow drifts often causes the ice below to flood, forming slush. These patterns, driven by wind and iceberg placement, are crucial for understanding sea ice changes and improving climate models.
Charlotte M. Carter, Steven Franke, Daniela Jansen, Chris R. Stokes, Veit Helm, John Paden, and Olaf Eisen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1743, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1743, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The landscapes beneath actively fast-flowing ice in Greenland have not been explored in detail, as digital elevation models do not have a high enough resolution to see these subglacial features. We use swath radar imaging to visualise these landforms at a high resolution, revealing a landscape that would usually be assumed to be indicative of faster ice flow than the current velocities. Interpretation of the landscape also gives an indication of the properties of the bed beneath the ice stream.
Steven Franke, Daniel Steinhage, Veit Helm, Alexandra M. Zuhr, Julien A. Bodart, Olaf Eisen, and Paul Bons
The Cryosphere, 19, 1153–1180, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1153-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1153-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The study presents internal reflection horizons (IRHs) over an area of 450 000 km² from western Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica, spanning 4.8–91 ka. Using radar and ice core data, nine IRHs were dated and correlated with volcanic events. The data enhance our understanding of the ice sheet's age–depth architecture, accumulation, and dynamics. The findings inform ice flow models and contribute to Antarctic-wide comparisons of IRHs, supporting efforts toward a 3D age–depth ice sheet model.
Derek J. Pickell, Robert L. Hawley, and Adam LeWinter
The Cryosphere, 19, 1013–1029, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1013-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1013-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We use a low-cost, low-power GNSS network to measure surface accumulation in Greenland's interior using the interferometric reflectometry technique. Additionally, we extend this method to also estimate centimeter- to meter-scale surface roughness. Our results closely align with a validation record and highlight a period of unusually high accumulation from late 2022 to 2023, along with seasonal variations in surface roughness.
Ian A. Raphael, Donald K. Perovich, Christopher M. Polashenski, and Robert L. Hawley
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-187, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-187, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Snow plays competing roles in the sea ice cycle by reflecting sunlight during summer (reducing melt) and insulating the ice from the cold atmosphere during winter (reducing growth). Observing where, when, and how much snow accumulates on sea ice is thus central to understanding the Arctic. Here, we describe a new snow depth observation system that is substantially cheaper and lighter than existing tools, and present a study demonstrating its potential to improve snow measurements on sea ice.
Christian T. Wild, Reinhard Drews, Niklas Neckel, Joohan Lee, Sihyung Kim, Hyangsun Han, Won Sang Lee, Veit Helm, Sebastian Harry Reid Rosier, Oliver J. Marsh, and Wolfgang Rack
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3593, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3593, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The stability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet depends on how resistance along the sides of large glaciers slows down the flow of ice into the ocean. We present a method to map ice strength using the effect of ocean tides on floating ice shelves. Incorporating weaker ice in shear zones improves the accuracy of model predictions compared to satellite observations. This demonstrates the untapped potential of radar satellites to map ice stiffness in the most critical areas for ice sheet stability.
Alexander C. Ronan, Robert L. Hawley, and Jonathan W. Chipman
The Cryosphere, 18, 5673–5683, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5673-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5673-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We generate a 2010–2021 time series of CryoSat-2 waveform shape metrics on the Greenland Ice Sheet, and we compare it to CryoSat-2 elevation data to investigate the reliability of two algorithms used to derive elevations from the SIRAL radar altimeter. Retracked elevations are found to depend on a waveform's leading-edge width in the dry-snow zone. The study indicates that retracking algorithms must consider significant climate events and snow conditions when assessing elevation change.
Veit Helm, Alireza Dehghanpour, Ronny Hänsch, Erik Loebel, Martin Horwath, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 18, 3933–3970, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3933-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3933-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new approach (AWI-ICENet1), based on a deep convolutional neural network, for analysing satellite radar altimeter measurements to accurately determine the surface height of ice sheets. Surface height estimates obtained with AWI-ICENet1 (along with related products, such as ice sheet height change and volume change) show improved and unbiased results compared to other products. This is important for the long-term monitoring of ice sheet mass loss and its impact on sea level rise.
Ian E. McDowell, Kaitlin M. Keegan, S. McKenzie Skiles, Christopher P. Donahue, Erich C. Osterberg, Robert L. Hawley, and Hans-Peter Marshall
The Cryosphere, 18, 1925–1946, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1925-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1925-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Accurate knowledge of firn grain size is crucial for many ice sheet research applications. Unfortunately, collecting detailed measurements of firn grain size is difficult. We demonstrate that scanning firn cores with a near-infrared imager can quickly produce high-resolution maps of both grain size and ice layer distributions. We map grain size and ice layer stratigraphy in 14 firn cores from Greenland and document changes to grain size and ice layer content from the extreme melt summer of 2012.
Ole Zeising, Niklas Neckel, Nils Dörr, Veit Helm, Daniel Steinhage, Ralph Timmermann, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 18, 1333–1357, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1333-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1333-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The 79° North Glacier in Greenland has experienced significant changes over the last decades. Due to extreme melt rates, the ice has thinned significantly in the vicinity of the grounding line, where a large subglacial channel has formed since 2010. We attribute these changes to warm ocean currents and increased subglacial discharge from surface melt. However, basal melting has decreased since 2018, indicating colder water inflow into the cavity below the glacier.
Matthias O. Willen, Martin Horwath, Eric Buchta, Mirko Scheinert, Veit Helm, Bernd Uebbing, and Jürgen Kusche
The Cryosphere, 18, 775–790, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-775-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-775-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Shrinkage of the Antarctic ice sheet (AIS) leads to sea level rise. Satellite gravimetry measures AIS mass changes. We apply a new method that overcomes two limitations: low spatial resolution and large uncertainties due to the Earth's interior mass changes. To do so, we additionally include data from satellite altimetry and climate and firn modelling, which are evaluated in a globally consistent way with thoroughly characterized errors. The results are in better agreement with independent data.
Ailsa Chung, Frédéric Parrenin, Daniel Steinhage, Robert Mulvaney, Carlos Martín, Marie G. P. Cavitte, David A. Lilien, Veit Helm, Drew Taylor, Prasad Gogineni, Catherine Ritz, Massimo Frezzotti, Charles O'Neill, Heinrich Miller, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 17, 3461–3483, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3461-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3461-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We combined a numerical model with radar measurements in order to determine the age of ice in the Dome C region of Antarctica. Our results show that at the current ice core drilling sites on Little Dome C, the maximum age of the ice is almost 1.5 Ma. We also highlight a new potential drill site called North Patch with ice up to 2 Ma. Finally, we explore the nature of a stagnant ice layer at the base of the ice sheet which has been independently observed and modelled but is not well understood.
Angelika Humbert, Veit Helm, Niklas Neckel, Ole Zeising, Martin Rückamp, Shfaqat Abbas Khan, Erik Loebel, Jörg Brauchle, Karsten Stebner, Dietmar Gross, Rabea Sondershaus, and Ralf Müller
The Cryosphere, 17, 2851–2870, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2851-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2851-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The largest floating glacier mass in Greenland, the 79° N Glacier, is showing signs of instability. We investigate how crack formation at the glacier's calving front has changed over the last decades by using satellite imagery and airborne data. The calving front is about to lose contact to stabilizing ice islands. Simulations show that the glacier will accelerate as a result of this, leading to an increase in ice discharge of more than 5.1 % if its calving front retreats by 46 %.
Michael J. Bentley, James A. Smith, Stewart S. R. Jamieson, Margaret R. Lindeman, Brice R. Rea, Angelika Humbert, Timothy P. Lane, Christopher M. Darvill, Jeremy M. Lloyd, Fiamma Straneo, Veit Helm, and David H. Roberts
The Cryosphere, 17, 1821–1837, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1821-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1821-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream is a major outlet of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Some of its outlet glaciers and ice shelves have been breaking up and retreating, with inflows of warm ocean water identified as the likely reason. Here we report direct measurements of warm ocean water in an unusual lake that is connected to the ocean beneath the ice shelf in front of the 79° N Glacier. This glacier has not yet shown much retreat, but the presence of warm water makes future retreat more likely.
Inès N. Otosaka, Andrew Shepherd, Erik R. Ivins, Nicole-Jeanne Schlegel, Charles Amory, Michiel R. van den Broeke, Martin Horwath, Ian Joughin, Michalea D. King, Gerhard Krinner, Sophie Nowicki, Anthony J. Payne, Eric Rignot, Ted Scambos, Karen M. Simon, Benjamin E. Smith, Louise S. Sørensen, Isabella Velicogna, Pippa L. Whitehouse, Geruo A, Cécile Agosta, Andreas P. Ahlstrøm, Alejandro Blazquez, William Colgan, Marcus E. Engdahl, Xavier Fettweis, Rene Forsberg, Hubert Gallée, Alex Gardner, Lin Gilbert, Noel Gourmelen, Andreas Groh, Brian C. Gunter, Christopher Harig, Veit Helm, Shfaqat Abbas Khan, Christoph Kittel, Hannes Konrad, Peter L. Langen, Benoit S. Lecavalier, Chia-Chun Liang, Bryant D. Loomis, Malcolm McMillan, Daniele Melini, Sebastian H. Mernild, Ruth Mottram, Jeremie Mouginot, Johan Nilsson, Brice Noël, Mark E. Pattle, William R. Peltier, Nadege Pie, Mònica Roca, Ingo Sasgen, Himanshu V. Save, Ki-Weon Seo, Bernd Scheuchl, Ernst J. O. Schrama, Ludwig Schröder, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Thomas Slater, Giorgio Spada, Tyler C. Sutterley, Bramha Dutt Vishwakarma, Jan Melchior van Wessem, David Wiese, Wouter van der Wal, and Bert Wouters
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 1597–1616, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-1597-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-1597-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
By measuring changes in the volume, gravitational attraction, and ice flow of Greenland and Antarctica from space, we can monitor their mass gain and loss over time. Here, we present a new record of the Earth’s polar ice sheet mass balance produced by aggregating 50 satellite-based estimates of ice sheet mass change. This new assessment shows that the ice sheets have lost (7.5 x 1012) t of ice between 1992 and 2020, contributing 21 mm to sea level rise.
Angelika Humbert, Julia Christmann, Hugh F. J. Corr, Veit Helm, Lea-Sophie Höyns, Coen Hofstede, Ralf Müller, Niklas Neckel, Keith W. Nicholls, Timm Schultz, Daniel Steinhage, Michael Wolovick, and Ole Zeising
The Cryosphere, 16, 4107–4139, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4107-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-4107-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Ice shelves are normally flat structures that fringe the Antarctic continent. At some locations they have channels incised into their underside. On Filchner Ice Shelf, such a channel is more than 50 km long and up to 330 m high. We conducted field measurements of basal melt rates and found a maximum of 2 m yr−1. Simulations represent the geometry evolution of the channel reasonably well. There is no reason to assume that this type of melt channel is destabilizing ice shelves.
Steven Franke, Daniela Jansen, Tobias Binder, John D. Paden, Nils Dörr, Tamara A. Gerber, Heinrich Miller, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, Veit Helm, Daniel Steinhage, Ilka Weikusat, Frank Wilhelms, and Olaf Eisen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 763–779, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-763-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-763-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) is the largest ice stream in Greenland. In order to better understand the past and future dynamics of the NEGIS, we present a high-resolution airborne radar data set (EGRIP-NOR-2018) for the onset region of the NEGIS. The survey area is centered at the location of the drill site of the East Greenland Ice-Core Project (EastGRIP), and radar profiles cover both shear margins and are aligned parallel to several flow lines.
Coen Hofstede, Sebastian Beyer, Hugh Corr, Olaf Eisen, Tore Hattermann, Veit Helm, Niklas Neckel, Emma C. Smith, Daniel Steinhage, Ole Zeising, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 15, 1517–1535, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1517-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1517-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Support Force Glacier rapidly flows into Filcher Ice Shelf of Antarctica. As we know little about this glacier and its subglacial drainage, we used seismic energy to map the transition area from grounded to floating ice where a drainage channel enters the ocean cavity. Soft sediments close to the grounding line are probably transported by this drainage channel. The constant ice thickness over the steeply dipping seabed of the ocean cavity suggests a stable transition and little basal melting.
Stefan Kowalewski, Veit Helm, Elizabeth Mary Morris, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 15, 1285–1305, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1285-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-1285-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents estimates of total mass input for the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) over the period 2005–2014 from airborne radar measurements. Our analysis reveals a total mass input similar to an earlier estimate for the period 1985–2009 and same area. This suggests a stationary total mass input contrary to the accelerated mass loss of PIG over the past decades. However, we also find that its uncertainty is highly sensitive to the geostatistical assumptions required for its calculation.
Evelyn Jäkel, Tim Carlsen, André Ehrlich, Manfred Wendisch, Michael Schäfer, Sophie Rosenburg, Konstantina Nakoudi, Marco Zanatta, Gerit Birnbaum, Veit Helm, Andreas Herber, Larysa Istomina, Linlu Mei, and Anika Rohde
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-14, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-14, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
Different approaches to retrieve the optical-equivalent snow grain size using satellite, airborne, and ground-based observations were evaluated and compared to modeled data. The study is focused on low Sun and partly rough surface conditions encountered North of Greenland in March/April 2018. We proposed an adjusted airborne retrieval method to reduce the retrieval uncertainty.
Tim Carlsen, Gerit Birnbaum, André Ehrlich, Veit Helm, Evelyn Jäkel, Michael Schäfer, and Manfred Wendisch
The Cryosphere, 14, 3959–3978, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3959-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-3959-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
The angular reflection of solar radiation by snow surfaces is particularly anisotropic and highly variable. We measured the angular reflection from an aircraft using a digital camera in Antarctica in 2013/14 and studied its variability: the anisotropy increases with a lower Sun but decreases for rougher surfaces and larger snow grains. The applied methodology allows for a direct comparison with satellite observations, which generally underestimated the anisotropy measured within this study.
Marco Meloni, Jerome Bouffard, Tommaso Parrinello, Geoffrey Dawson, Florent Garnier, Veit Helm, Alessandro Di Bella, Stefan Hendricks, Robert Ricker, Erica Webb, Ben Wright, Karina Nielsen, Sanggyun Lee, Marcello Passaro, Michele Scagliola, Sebastian Bjerregaard Simonsen, Louise Sandberg Sørensen, David Brockley, Steven Baker, Sara Fleury, Jonathan Bamber, Luca Maestri, Henriette Skourup, René Forsberg, and Loretta Mizzi
The Cryosphere, 14, 1889–1907, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1889-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1889-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
This manuscript aims to describe the evolutions which have been implemented in the new CryoSat Ice processing chain Baseline-D and the validation activities carried out in different domains such as sea ice, land ice and hydrology.
This new CryoSat processing Baseline-D will maximise the uptake and use of CryoSat data by scientific users since it offers improved capability for monitoring the complex and multiscale changes over the cryosphere.
Alexandra Giese, Aaron Boone, Patrick Wagnon, and Robert Hawley
The Cryosphere, 14, 1555–1577, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1555-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1555-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Rocky debris on glacier surfaces is known to affect the melt of mountain glaciers. Debris can be dry or filled to varying extents with liquid water and ice; whether debris is dry, wet, and/or icy affects how efficiently heat is conducted through debris from its surface to the ice interface. Our paper presents a new energy balance model that simulates moisture phase, evolution, and location in debris. ISBA-DEB is applied to West Changri Nup glacier in Nepal to reveal important physical processes.
Colin R. Meyer, Kaitlin M. Keegan, Ian Baker, and Robert L. Hawley
The Cryosphere, 14, 1449–1458, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1449-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1449-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
We describe snow compaction laboratory data with a new mathematical model. Using a compression device that is similar to a French press with snow instead of coffee grounds, Wang and Baker (2013) compacted numerous snow samples of different densities at a constant velocity to determine the force required for snow compaction. Our mathematical model for compaction includes airflow through snow and predicts the required force, in agreement with the experimental data.
Gabriel Lewis, Erich Osterberg, Robert Hawley, Hans Peter Marshall, Tate Meehan, Karina Graeter, Forrest McCarthy, Thomas Overly, Zayta Thundercloud, and David Ferris
The Cryosphere, 13, 2797–2815, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2797-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-2797-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We present accumulation records from sixteen 22–32 m long firn cores and 4436 km of ground-penetrating radar, covering the past 20–60 years of accumulation, collected across the western Greenland Ice Sheet percolation zone. Trends from both radar and firn cores, as well as commonly used regional climate models, show decreasing accumulation over the 1996–2016 period.
Alexandra Giese, Steven Arcone, Robert Hawley, Gabriel Lewis, and Patrick Wagnon
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-60, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-60, 2019
Preprint withdrawn
Short summary
Short summary
This manuscript defines a novel method of determining the depth of debris on a debris-covered glacier using 960 MHz Ground-Penetrating Radar, under circumstances which prevent the detection of a coherent reflection at the debris-ice interface. Our method was verified using full-scale debris-analog experiments and uses internal scattering within the debris layer. We use this method to measure debris thickness on Changri Nup Glacier, in the Nepal Himalaya.
Baptiste Vandecrux, Michael MacFerrin, Horst Machguth, William T. Colgan, Dirk van As, Achim Heilig, C. Max Stevens, Charalampos Charalampidis, Robert S. Fausto, Elizabeth M. Morris, Ellen Mosley-Thompson, Lora Koenig, Lynn N. Montgomery, Clément Miège, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Thomas Ingeman-Nielsen, and Jason E. Box
The Cryosphere, 13, 845–859, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-845-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-845-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
The perennial snow, or firn, on the Greenland ice sheet each summer stores part of the meltwater formed at the surface, buffering the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level. We gathered observations of firn air content, indicative of the space available in the firn to retain meltwater, and find that this air content remained stable in cold regions of the firn over the last 65 years but recently decreased significantly in western Greenland.
Ludwig Schröder, Martin Horwath, Reinhard Dietrich, Veit Helm, Michiel R. van den Broeke, and Stefan R. M. Ligtenberg
The Cryosphere, 13, 427–449, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-427-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-13-427-2019, 2019
Short summary
Short summary
We developed an approach to combine measurements of seven satellite altimetry missions over the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Our resulting monthly grids of elevation changes between 1978 and 2017 provide unprecedented details of the long-term and interannual variation. Derived mass changes agree well with contemporaneous data of surface mass balance and satellite gravimetry and show which regions were responsible for the significant accelerations of mass loss in recent years.
Nanna B. Karlsson, Tobias Binder, Graeme Eagles, Veit Helm, Frank Pattyn, Brice Van Liefferinge, and Olaf Eisen
The Cryosphere, 12, 2413–2424, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2413-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-2413-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we investigate the probability that the Dome Fuji region in East Antarctica contains ice more than 1.5 Ma old. The retrieval of a continuous ice-core record extending beyond 1 Ma is imperative to understand why the frequency of ice ages changed from 40 to 100 ka approximately 1 Ma ago.
We use a new radar dataset to improve the ice thickness maps, and apply a thermokinematic model to predict basal temperature and age of the ice. Our results indicate several areas of interest.
Nancy A. N. Bertler, Howard Conway, Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, Daniel B. Emanuelsson, Mai Winstrup, Paul T. Vallelonga, James E. Lee, Ed J. Brook, Jeffrey P. Severinghaus, Taylor J. Fudge, Elizabeth D. Keller, W. Troy Baisden, Richard C. A. Hindmarsh, Peter D. Neff, Thomas Blunier, Ross Edwards, Paul A. Mayewski, Sepp Kipfstuhl, Christo Buizert, Silvia Canessa, Ruzica Dadic, Helle A. Kjær, Andrei Kurbatov, Dongqi Zhang, Edwin D. Waddington, Giovanni Baccolo, Thomas Beers, Hannah J. Brightley, Lionel Carter, David Clemens-Sewall, Viorela G. Ciobanu, Barbara Delmonte, Lukas Eling, Aja Ellis, Shruthi Ganesh, Nicholas R. Golledge, Skylar Haines, Michael Handley, Robert L. Hawley, Chad M. Hogan, Katelyn M. Johnson, Elena Korotkikh, Daniel P. Lowry, Darcy Mandeno, Robert M. McKay, James A. Menking, Timothy R. Naish, Caroline Noerling, Agathe Ollive, Anaïs Orsi, Bernadette C. Proemse, Alexander R. Pyne, Rebecca L. Pyne, James Renwick, Reed P. Scherer, Stefanie Semper, Marius Simonsen, Sharon B. Sneed, Eric J. Steig, Andrea Tuohy, Abhijith Ulayottil Venugopal, Fernando Valero-Delgado, Janani Venkatesh, Feitang Wang, Shimeng Wang, Dominic A. Winski, V. Holly L. Winton, Arran Whiteford, Cunde Xiao, Jiao Yang, and Xin Zhang
Clim. Past, 14, 193–214, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-193-2018, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-14-193-2018, 2018
Short summary
Short summary
Temperature and snow accumulation records from the annually dated Roosevelt Island Climate Evolution (RICE) ice core show that for the past 2 700 years, the eastern Ross Sea warmed, while the western Ross Sea showed no trend and West Antarctica cooled. From the 17th century onwards, this dipole relationship changed. Now all three regions show concurrent warming, with snow accumulation declining in West Antarctica and the eastern Ross Sea.
Sophie Berger, Reinhard Drews, Veit Helm, Sainan Sun, and Frank Pattyn
The Cryosphere, 11, 2675–2690, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2675-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2675-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
Floating ice shelves act as a plug for the Antarctic ice sheet. The efficiency of this ice plug depends on how and how much the ocean melts the ice from below. This study relies on satellite imagery and a Lagrangian approach to map in detail the basal mass balance of an Antarctic ice shelf. Although the large-scale melting pattern of the ice shelf agrees with previous studies, our technique successfully detects local variability (< 1 km) in the basal melting of the ice shelf.
Gabriel Lewis, Erich Osterberg, Robert Hawley, Brian Whitmore, Hans Peter Marshall, and Jason Box
The Cryosphere, 11, 773–788, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-773-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-773-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
We analyze 25 flight lines from NASA's Operation IceBridge Accumulation Radar totaling to determine snow accumulation throughout the dry snow and percolation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Our results indicate that regional differences between IceBridge and model accumulation are large enough to significantly alter the Greenland Ice Sheet surface mass balance, with implications for future global sea-level rise.
Kelly M. Brunt, Robert L. Hawley, Eric R. Lutz, Michael Studinger, John G. Sonntag, Michelle A. Hofton, Lauren C. Andrews, and Thomas A. Neumann
The Cryosphere, 11, 681–692, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-681-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-681-2017, 2017
Short summary
Short summary
This manuscript presents an analysis of NASA airborne lidar data based on in situ GPS measurements from the interior of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Results show that for two airborne altimeters, surface elevation biases are less than 0.12 m and measurement precisions are 0.09 m or better. The study concludes that two NASA airborne lidars are sufficiently characterized to form part of a satellite data validation strategy, specifically for ICESat-2, scheduled to launch in 2018.
Sandra Schwegmann, Eero Rinne, Robert Ricker, Stefan Hendricks, and Veit Helm
The Cryosphere, 10, 1415–1425, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1415-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-1415-2016, 2016
Short summary
Short summary
Our study aimed to investigate whether CS-2 and Envisat radar freeboard can be merged without intermission biases in order to obtain a 20-year data set. The comparison revealed a reasonable regional agreement between radar freeboards derived from both sensors. Differences are mostly below 0.1 m for modal freeboard and even less for mean freeboard over winter months (May–October). The highest differences occur in regions with multi-year sea ice and along the coasts.
S. Goeller, V. Helm, M. Thoma, and K. Grosfeld
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-3995-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-9-3995-2015, 2015
Revised manuscript has not been submitted
Short summary
Short summary
The Ross Ice Streams in West Antarctica showed a high variability in the past. We model basal water pathways and catchment areas for present and future ice sheet geometries (gained by applying satellite-derived elevation change rates) in this sector. Thus, we can explain the current ice stream configuration and estimate implications for the next two centuries, where we find that a major basal hydraulic tributary of the Kamb and Whillans IS could be redirected underneath the Bindschadler IS.
M. P. Lüthi, C. Ryser, L. C. Andrews, G. A. Catania, M. Funk, R. L. Hawley, M. J. Hoffman, and T. A. Neumann
The Cryosphere, 9, 245–253, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-245-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-245-2015, 2015
Short summary
Short summary
We analyze the thermal structure of the Greenland Ice Sheet with a heat flow model. New borehole measurements indicate that more heat is stored within the ice than would be expected from heat diffusion alone. We conclude that temperate paleo-firn and cyro-hydrologic warming are essential processes that explain the measurements.
R. Ricker, S. Hendricks, V. Helm, H. Skourup, and M. Davidson
The Cryosphere, 8, 1607–1622, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1607-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1607-2014, 2014
V. Helm, A. Humbert, and H. Miller
The Cryosphere, 8, 1539–1559, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1539-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1539-2014, 2014
L. Gray, D. Burgess, L. Copland, R. Cullen, N. Galin, R. Hawley, and V. Helm
The Cryosphere, 7, 1857–1867, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1857-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1857-2013, 2013
B. F. Morriss, R. L. Hawley, J. W. Chipman, L. C. Andrews, G. A. Catania, M. J. Hoffman, M. P. Lüthi, and T. A. Neumann
The Cryosphere, 7, 1869–1877, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1869-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1869-2013, 2013
M. Zygmuntowska, K. Khvorostovsky, V. Helm, and S. Sandven
The Cryosphere, 7, 1315–1324, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1315-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-7-1315-2013, 2013
Related subject area
Remote Sensing
Radar-equivalent snowpack: reducing the number of snow layers while retaining their microwave properties and bulk snow mass
New radar altimetry datasets of Greenland and Antarctic surface elevation, 1991–2012
Evaluating sensitivity of optical snow grain size retrievals to radiative transfer models, shape parameters, and inversion techniques
Detection and reconstruction of rock glacier kinematics over 24 years (2000–2024) from Landsat imagery
Brief communication: Not as dirty as they look, flawed airborne and satellite snow spectra
Grounded ridge detection and characterization along the Alaska Arctic coastline using ICESat-2 surface height retrievals
Importance of ice elasticity in simulating tide-induced grounding line variations along prograde bed slopes
Evaluation of the Snow Climate Change Initiative (Snow CCI) snow-covered area product within a mountain snow water equivalent reanalysis
Multiple modes of shoreline change along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea observed using ICESat-2 altimetry and satellite imagery
UAV LiDAR surveys and machine learning improves snow depth and water equivalent estimates in the boreal landscapes
Mapping seasonal snow melting in Karakoram using SAR and topographic data
Inland migration of near-surface crevasses in the Amundsen Sea Sector, West Antarctica
Multitemporal analysis of Sentinel-1 backscattering during snow melt using high-resolution field measurements and radiative transfer modeling
Do we still need reflectance? From radiance to snow properties in mountainous terrain: a case study with the EMIT imaging spectrometer
Greenland Ice Sheet surface roughness from Ku- and Ka-band radar altimetry surface echo strengths
Novel methods to study sea ice deformation, linear kinematic features and coherent dynamic clusters from imaging remote sensing data
InSAR-derived seasonal subsidence reflects spatial soil moisture patterns in Arctic lowland permafrost regions
Brief Communication: Daily, gap-free snow cover information based on a combination of NPP VIIRS and MODIS data
Drift-aware sea ice thickness maps from satellite remote sensing
Benchmarking passive-microwave-satellite-derived freeze–thaw datasets
Snow depth estimation on leadless landfast ice using Cryo2Ice satellite observations
Five decades of Abramov glacier dynamics reconstructed with multi-sensor optical remote sensing
TICOI: an operational Python package to generate regularized glacier velocity time series
Sea Ice Concentration Estimates from ICESat-2 Linear Ice Fraction. Part 2: Gridded Data Comparison and Bias Estimation
Retrieving frozen ground surface temperature under the snowpack in Arctic permafrost area from SMOS observations
Updated Arctic melt pond fraction dataset and trends 2002–2023 using ENVISAT and Sentinel-3 remote sensing data
Machine learning of Antarctic firn density by combining radiometer and scatterometer remote-sensing data
Temporal stability of a new 40-year daily AVHRR land surface temperature dataset for the pan-Arctic region
Impact assessment of snow thickness, sea ice density and water density in CryoSat-2-derived sea ice thickness
Sea Ice Freeboard Extrapolation from ICESat-2 to Sentinel-1
Sea Ice Concentration Estimates from ICESat-2 Linear Ice Fraction. Part 1: Multi-sensor Comparison of Sea Ice Concentration Products
Seasonality in Terminus Ablation Rates for the Glaciers in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland)
The Pléiades Glacier Observatory: high-resolution digital elevation models and ortho-imagery to monitor glacier change
Multitemporal UAV lidar detects seasonal heave and subsidence on palsas
Evaluating snow depth retrievals from Sentinel-1 volume scattering over NASA SnowEx sites
Pan-Arctic sea ice concentration from SAR and passive microwave
Land surface temperature trends derived from Landsat imagery in the Swiss Alps
A framework for automated supraglacial lake detection and depth retrieval in ICESat-2 photon data across the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets
Assessing spatio-temporal variability of firn volume scattering over Greenland with satellite altimeters
Comparing High-Resolution Snow Mapping Approaches in Palsa Mires: UAS LiDAR vs. Machine Learning
Improved snow property retrievals by solving for topography in the inversion of at-sensor radiance measurements
Change in grounding line location on the Antarctic Peninsula measured using a tidal motion offset correlation method
Land cover succession for recently drained lakes in permafrost on the Yamal Peninsula, Western Siberia
Anticipating CRISTAL: An exploration of multi-frequency satellite altimeter snow depth estimates over Arctic sea ice, 2018–2023
Exploring microwave penetration into snow on Antarctic summer sea ice along CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 (CRYO2ICE) orbit from multi-frequency air- and spaceborne altimetry
Retrieval of Atmospheric Water Vapor and Temperature Profiles over Antarctica through Iterative Approach
Assessing sea ice microwave emissivity up to submillimeter waves from airborne and satellite observations
How to reduce sampling errors in spaceborne cloud radar-based snowfall estimates
Simulation of Arctic snow microwave emission in surface-sensitive atmosphere channels
AWI-ICENet1: a convolutional neural network retracker for ice altimetry
Julien Meloche, Nicolas R. Leroux, Benoit Montpetit, Vincent Vionnet, and Chris Derksen
The Cryosphere, 19, 2949–2962, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2949-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2949-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Measuring snow mass from radar measurements is possible with information on snow and a radar model to link the measurements to snow. A key variable in a retrieval is the number of snow layers, with more layers yielding richer information but at increased computational cost. Here, we show the capabilities of a new method for simplifying a complex snowpack while preserving the scattering behavior of the snowpack and conserving its mass.
Maya Raghunath Suryawanshi, Malcolm McMillan, Jennifer Maddalena, Fanny Piras, Jérémie Aublanc, Jean-Alexis Daguzé, Clara Grau, and Qi Huang
The Cryosphere, 19, 2855–2880, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2855-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2855-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Increasing melting rates of the polar ice sheets are contributing more and more to sea level rise. Due to the remoteness and expanse of ice sheets, these changes are mainly observed using satellites. However, the accuracy of these measurements depends on the processing of these datasets. Here we use advanced algorithms to provide improved historical ice sheet elevation measurements, derived from satellite altimeters flying between 1991 and 2012, which will benefit cryospheric applications.
James W. Dillon, Christopher P. Donahue, Evan N. Schehrer, and Kevin D. Hammonds
The Cryosphere, 19, 2913–2933, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2913-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2913-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The optical grain size of snow controls albedo, playing a key role in Earth's energy balance. This parameter varies substantially in time and space; thus, accurate estimates are vital. Reflectance measurements can be used to map grain size, although results differ considerably, depending on the algorithm and model used during retrieval. We perform a novel laboratory comparison to determine the optimal model, shape parameters, and retrieval algorithm for accurately estimating grain size.
Diego Cusicanqui, Pascal Lacroix, Xavier Bodin, Benjamin Aubrey Robson, Andreas Kääb, and Shelley MacDonell
The Cryosphere, 19, 2559–2581, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2559-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2559-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study presents a robust methodological approach to detect and analyse rock glacier kinematics using Landsat 7/Landsat 8 imagery. In the semiarid Andes, 382 landforms were monitored, showing an average velocity of 0.37 ± 0.07 m yr⁻¹ over 24 years, with rock glaciers moving 23 % faster. Results demonstrate the feasibility of using medium-resolution optical imagery, combined with radar interferometry, to monitor rock glacier kinematics with widely available satellite datasets.
Edward H. Bair, Dar A. Roberts, David R. Thompson, Philip G. Brodrick, Brenton A. Wilder, Niklas Bohn, Christopher J. Crawford, Nimrod Carmon, Carrie M. Vuyovich, and Jeff Dozier
The Cryosphere, 19, 2315–2320, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2315-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2315-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Key to the success of future satellite missions is understanding snowmelt in our warming climate, as this has implications for nearly 2 billion people. An obstacle is that an artifact, called the hook, is often mistaken for soot or dust. Instead, it is caused by three amplifying effects: (1) background reflectance that is too dark, (2) an assumption of level terrain, and (3) differences in optical constants of ice. Sensor calibration and directional effects may also contribute. Solutions are presented.
Kennedy A. Lange, Alice C. Bradley, Kyle Duncan, and Sinéad L. Farrell
The Cryosphere, 19, 2045–2065, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2045-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2045-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Grounded sea ice ridges stabilize nearshore sea ice by anchoring it in the seafloor. In this study, we develop a method to identify grounded ridges in satellite data and measure the height, depth, distance from shore, and width of a thousand ridges across the Alaska Arctic, finding regional differences in these metrics across the coastline. This method lays the groundwork for a better understanding of nearshore ice stability, holding importance for Arctic community food security and safety.
Natalya Ross, Pietro Milillo, Kalyana Nakshatrala, Roberto Ballarini, Aaron Stubblefield, and Luigi Dini
The Cryosphere, 19, 1995–2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1995-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1995-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Analyzing remote sensing radar data over three Antarctic glaciers, we observe short-term grounding line migrations. We simulate this phenomenon using viscous and viscoelastic continuum mechanics models. We quantify the sensitivity of the grounding zone width to bedrock slope, glacier thickness, and ice flow speed. Comparisons of the models’ predictions with the observations highlight the necessity of including ice elasticity in non-Newtonian models of glacier ice.
Haorui Sun, Yiwen Fang, Steven A. Margulis, Colleen Mortimer, Lawrence Mudryk, and Chris Derksen
The Cryosphere, 19, 2017–2036, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2017-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2017-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The European Space Agency's Snow Climate Change Initiative (Snow CCI) developed a high-quality snow cover extent and snow water equivalent (SWE) climate data record. However, gaps exist in complex terrain due to challenges in using passive microwave sensing and in situ measurements. This study presents a methodology to fill the mountain SWE gap using Snow CCI snow cover fraction within a Bayesian SWE reanalysis framework, with potential applications in untested regions and with other sensors.
Marnie B. Bryant, Adrian A. Borsa, Eric J. Anderson, Claire C. Masteller, Roger J. Michaelides, Matthew R. Siegfried, and Adam P. Young
The Cryosphere, 19, 1825–1847, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1825-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1825-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We measure shoreline change across a 7 km stretch of coastline on the Alaskan Beaufort Sea coast between 2019 and 2022 using multispectral imagery from Planet and satellite altimetry from ICESat-2. We find that shoreline change rates are high and variable and that different shoreline types show distinct patterns of change in shoreline position and topography. We discuss how the observed changes may be driven by both time-varying ocean and air conditions and spatial variations in morphology.
Maiju Ylönen, Hannu Marttila, Anton Kuzmin, Pasi Korpelainen, Timo Kumpula, and Pertti Ala-Aho
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1297, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1297, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We collected snow depth maps four times during the winter from two different sites and used them as input for a model to predict daily snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE). Our results show similar snow depth patterns in different sites, where snow depths are the highest in forests and forest gaps and the lowest in open areas. The results can extend operational snow course measurements and their temporal and spatial coverage, helping hydrological forecasting and water resource management.
Shiyi Li, Lanqing Huang, Philipp Bernhard, and Irena Hajnsek
The Cryosphere, 19, 1621–1639, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1621-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1621-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work presents an improved method for seasonal wet snow mapping in Karakoram using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and topographic data. This method enables robust wet snow classification in complex mountainous terrain. Large-scale wet snow maps were generated using the proposed method, covering three major water basins in Karakoram over 4 years (2017–2021). Crucial snow variables were further derived from the maps and provided valuable insights on regional snow melting dynamics.
Andrew O. Hoffman, Knut Christianson, Ching-Yao Lai, Ian Joughin, Nicholas Holschuh, Elizabeth Case, Jonathan Kingslake, and the GHOST science team
The Cryosphere, 19, 1353–1372, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1353-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1353-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We use satellite and ice-penetrating radar technology to segment crevasses in the Amundsen Sea Embayment. Inspection of satellite time series reveals inland expansion of crevasses where surface stresses have increased. We develop a simple model for the strength of densifying snow and show that these crevasses are likely restricted to the near surface. This result bridges discrepancies between satellite and lab experiments and reveals the importance of porosity on surface crevasse formation.
Francesca Carletti, Carlo Marin, Chiara Ghielmini, Mathias Bavay, and Michael Lehning
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-974, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-974, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This work presents the first high-resolution dataset of wet snow properties for satellite applications. With it, we validate links between Sentinel-1 backscattering and snowmelt stages, and investigate scattering mechanisms through a radiative transfer model. We disclose the influence of liquid water content and surface roughness at different melting stages and address future challenges, such as capturing large-scale scattering mechanisms and enhancing radiative transfer modules for wet snow.
Niklas Bohn, Edward H. Bair, Philip G. Brodrick, Nimrod Carmon, Robert O. Green, Thomas H. Painter, and David R. Thompson
The Cryosphere, 19, 1279–1302, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1279-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1279-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
A new type of Earth-observing satellite is measuring reflected sunlight in all its colors. These measurements can be used to characterize snow properties, which give us important information about climate change. In our work, we emphasize the difficulties of obtaining these properties from rough mountainous regions and present a solution to the problem. Our research was inspired by the growing number of new satellite technologies and the increasing challenges associated with climate change.
Kirk M. Scanlan, Anja Rutishauser, and Sebastian B. Simonsen
The Cryosphere, 19, 1221–1239, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1221-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1221-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
An ice sheet's surface modulates its response to climate change, and it is therefore critical to monitor how it evolves through time. Here, we investigate novel measurements of Greenland surface roughness based on the strength of reflected local airborne and pan-Greenland satellite radar signals. These measurements respond to roughness at scales typically larger than those considered in mass balance modelling while highlighting the scale dependency of surface roughness that is often overlooked.
Polona Itkin
The Cryosphere, 19, 1135–1151, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1135-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1135-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Radar satellite images of sea ice were analyzed to understand how sea ice moves and deforms. These data are noisy, especially when looking at small details. A method was developed to filter out the noise. The filtered data were used to monitor how ice plates stretch and compress over time, revealing slow healing of ice fractures. Cohesive clusters of ice plates that move together were studied too. These methods provide climate-relevant insights into the dynamic nature of winter sea ice cover.
Barbara Widhalm, Annett Bartsch, Tazio Strozzi, Nina Jones, Artem Khomutov, Elena Babkina, Marina Leibman, Rustam Khairullin, Mathias Göckede, Helena Bergstedt, Clemens von Baeckmann, and Xaver Muri
The Cryosphere, 19, 1103–1133, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1103-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-1103-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Mapping soil moisture in Arctic permafrost regions is crucial for various activities, but it is challenging with typical satellite methods due to the landscape's diversity. Seasonal freezing and thawing cause the ground to periodically rise and subside. Our research demonstrates that this seasonal ground settlement, measured with Sentinel-1 satellite data, is larger in areas with wetter soils. This method helps to monitor permafrost degradation.
Andreas J. Dietz and Sebastian Roessler
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-382, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-382, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The "Global SnowPack" product of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) contains binary information about the presence or absence of snow on a global scale since the year 2000. Now incorporating new input datasets, it was possible to increase the spatial resolution to 370 m. The detailed accuracy assessment proves the feasibility of the applied methods to remove data gaps caused by clouds and polar darkness.
Robert Ricker, Thomas Lavergne, Stefan Hendricks, Stephan Paul, Emily Down, Mari Anne Killie, and Marion Bocquet
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-359, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-359, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a new method to map Arctic sea ice thickness daily using satellite measurements. We address a problem similar to motion blur in photography. Traditional methods collect satellite data over one month to get a full picture of Arctic sea ice thickness. But like in photos of moving objects, long exposure leads to motion blur, making it difficult to identify certain features in the sea ice maps. Our method corrects for this motion blur, providing a sharper view of the evolving sea ice.
Annett Bartsch, Xaver Muri, Markus Hetzenecker, Kimmo Rautiainen, Helena Bergstedt, Jan Wuite, Thomas Nagler, and Dmitry Nicolsky
The Cryosphere, 19, 459–483, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-459-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-459-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We developed a robust freeze–thaw detection approach, applying a constant threshold to Copernicus Sentinel-1 data that is suitable for tundra regions. All global, coarser-resolution products, tested with the resulting benchmarking dataset, are of value for freeze–thaw retrieval, although differences were found depending on the seasons, particularly during the spring and autumn transition.
Monojit Saha, Julienne Stroeve, Dustin Isleifson, John Yackel, Vishnu Nandan, Jack Christopher Landy, and Hoi Ming Lam
The Cryosphere, 19, 325–346, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-325-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-325-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Snow on sea ice is vital for near-shore sea ice geophysical and biological processes. Past studies have measured snow depths using the satellite altimeters Cryosat-2 and ICESat-2 (Cryo2Ice), but estimating sea surface height from leadless landfast sea ice remains challenging. Snow depths from Cryo2Ice are compared to in situ data after adjusting for tides. Realistic snow depths are retrieved, but differences in roughness, satellite footprints, and snow geophysical properties are identified.
Enrico Mattea, Etienne Berthier, Amaury Dehecq, Tobias Bolch, Atanu Bhattacharya, Sajid Ghuffar, Martina Barandun, and Martin Hoelzle
The Cryosphere, 19, 219–247, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-219-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-219-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We reconstruct the evolution of terminus position, ice thickness, and surface flow velocity of the reference Abramov glacier (Kyrgyzstan) from 1968 to present. We describe a front pulsation in the early 2000s and the multi-annual present-day buildup of a new pulsation. Such dynamic instabilities can challenge the representativity of Abramov as a reference glacier. For our work we used satellite‑based optical remote sensing from multiple platforms, including recently declassified archives.
Laurane Charrier, Amaury Dehecq, Lei Guo, Fanny Brun, Romain Millan, Nathan Lioret, Luke Copland, Nathan Maier, Christine Dow, and Paul Halas
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3409, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3409, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
While global annual glacier velocities are openly accessible, sub-annual velocity time series are still lacking. This hinders our ability to understand flow processes and the integration of these observations in numerical models. We introduce an open source Python package called TICOI to fuses multi-temporal and multi-sensor image-pair velocities produced by different processing chains to produce standardized sub-annual velocity products.
Christopher Horvat, Ellen M. Buckley, and Madelyn Stewart
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3864, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3864, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Since the late 1970s, standard methods for observing sea ice area from satellite contrast its passive microwave emissions to that of the ocean. Since 2018, a new satellite, ICESat-2, may offer a unique and independent way to sample sea ice area at high skill and resolution, using laser altimetry. We develop a new product of sea ice area for the Arctic using ICESat-2 and constrain the biases associated with the use of altimetry instead of passive microwave emissions.
Juliette Ortet, Arnaud Mialon, Alain Royer, Mike Schwank, Manu Holmberg, Kimmo Rautiainen, Simone Bircher-Adrot, Andreas Colliander, Yann Kerr, and Alexandre Roy
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3963, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3963, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We propose a new method to determine the ground surface temperature under the snowpack in the Arctic area from satellite observations. The obtained ground temperatures time series were evaluated over 21 reference sites in Northern Alaska and compared with ground temperatures obtained with global models. The method is excessively promising for monitoring ground temperature below the snowpack and studying the spatiotemporal variability thanks to 15 years of observations over the whole Arctic area.
Larysa Istomina, Hannah Niehaus, and Gunnar Spreen
The Cryosphere, 19, 83–105, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-83-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-83-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Melt water puddles, or melt ponds on top of the Arctic sea ice, are a good measure of the Arctic climate state. In the context of recent climate warming, the Arctic has warmed about 4 times faster than the rest of the world, and a long-term dataset of the melt pond fraction is needed to be able to model the future development of the Arctic climate. We present such a dataset, produce 2002–2023 trends and highlight a potential melt regime shift with drastic regional trends of + 20 % per decade.
Weiran Li, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, and Stef Lhermitte
The Cryosphere, 19, 37–61, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-37-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-37-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study used a machine learning approach to estimate the densities over the Antarctic Ice Sheet, particularly in the areas where the snow is usually dry. The motivation is to establish a link between satellite parameters to snow densities, as measurements are difficult for people to take on site. It provides valuable insights into the complexities of the relationship between satellite parameters and firn density and provides potential for further studies.
Sonia Dupuis, Frank-Michael Göttsche, and Stefan Wunderle
The Cryosphere, 18, 6027–6059, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-6027-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-6027-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The Arctic has experienced pronounced warming the last few decades. This warming threatens ecosystems, vegetation dynamics, snow cover duration, and permafrost. Traditional monitoring methods like stations and climate models lack the detail needed. Land surface temperature (LST) data derived from satellites offer high spatial and temporal coverage, perfect for studying changes in the Arctic. In particular, LST information from AVHRR provides a 40-year record, valuable for analysing trends.
Imke Sievers, Henriette Skourup, and Till A. S. Rasmussen
The Cryosphere, 18, 5985–6004, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5985-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5985-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
To derive sea ice thickness (SIT) from satellite freeboard (FB) observations, assumptions about snow thickness, snow density, sea ice density and water density are needed. These parameters are impossible to observe alongside FB, so many existing products use empirical values. In this study, modeled values are used instead. The modeled values and otherwise commonly used empirical values are evaluated against in situ observations. In a further analysis, the influence on SIT is quantified.
Karl Kortum, Suman Singha, and Gunnar Spreen
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3351, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3351, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Improved sea ice observations are essential to understanding the processes that lead to the strong warming effect currently being observed in the Arctic. In this work, we combine complementary satellite measurement techniques and find remarkable correlations between the two observations. This allows us to expand the coverage of ice topography measurements to a scope and resolution that could not previously be observed.
Ellen M. Buckley, Christopher Horvat, and Pittayuth Yoosiri
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3861, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3861, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Sea ice coverage is a key indicator of changes in polar and global climate. There is a long (40+ year) record of sea ice concentration and area from passive microwave measurements. In this work we show the biases in these data based on high resolution imagery. We also suggest the use of ICESat-2, a high resolution satellite laser, that can supplement the passive microwave estimates.
Aman KC, Ellyn M. Enderlin, Dominik Fahrner, Twila Moon, and Dustin Carroll
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3543, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3543, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The sum of ice flowing towards a glacier’s terminus and changes in the position of the terminus over time collectively make up terminus ablation. We found that terminus ablation has more seasonal variability than previously estimated from flux-based estimates of ice discharge. The findings are of importance in understanding timing and location of the freshwater input to the fjords, and surrounding ocean basins affecting local and regional ecosystems and ocean properties.
Etienne Berthier, Jérôme Lebreton, Delphine Fontannaz, Steven Hosford, Joaquín Muñoz-Cobo Belart, Fanny Brun, Liss M. Andreassen, Brian Menounos, and Charlotte Blondel
The Cryosphere, 18, 5551–5571, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5551-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5551-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Repeat elevation measurements are crucial for monitoring glacier health and to understand how glaciers affect river flows and sea level. Until recently, high-resolution elevation data were mostly available for polar regions and High Mountain Asia. Our project, the Pléiades Glacier Observatory, now provides high-resolution topographies of 140 glacier sites worldwide. This is a novel and open dataset to monitor the impact of climate change on glaciers at high resolution and accuracy.
Cas Renette, Mats Olvmo, Sofia Thorsson, Björn Holmer, and Heather Reese
The Cryosphere, 18, 5465–5480, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5465-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5465-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We used a drone to monitor seasonal changes in the height of subarctic permafrost mounds (palsas). With five drone flights in 1 year, we found a seasonal fluctuation of ca. 15 cm as a result of freeze–thaw cycles. On one mound, a large area sank down between each flight as a result of permafrost thaw. The approach of using repeated high-resolution scans from such a drone is unique for such environments and highlights its effectiveness in capturing the subtle dynamics of permafrost landscapes.
Zachary Hoppinen, Ross T. Palomaki, George Brencher, Devon Dunmire, Eric Gagliano, Adrian Marziliano, Jack Tarricone, and Hans-Peter Marshall
The Cryosphere, 18, 5407–5430, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5407-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5407-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
This study uses radar imagery from the Sentinel-1 satellite to derive snow depth from increases in the returning energy. These retrieved depths are then compared to nine lidar-derived snow depths across the western United State to assess the ability of this technique to be used to monitor global snow distributions. We also qualitatively compare the changes in underlying Sentinel-1 amplitudes against both the total lidar snow depths and nine automated snow monitoring stations.
Tore Wulf, Jørgen Buus-Hinkler, Suman Singha, Hoyeon Shi, and Matilde Brandt Kreiner
The Cryosphere, 18, 5277–5300, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5277-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5277-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Here, we present ASIP: a new and comprehensive deep-learning-based methodology to retrieve high-resolution sea ice concentration with accompanying well-calibrated uncertainties from satellite-based active and passive microwave observations at a pan-Arctic scale for all seasons. In a comparative study against pan-Arctic ice charts and well-established passive-microwave-based sea ice products, we show that ASIP generalizes well to the pan-Arctic region.
Deniz Tobias Gök, Dirk Scherler, and Hendrik Wulf
The Cryosphere, 18, 5259–5276, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5259-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5259-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We derived Landsat Collection 2 land surface temperature (LST) trends in the Swiss Alps using a harmonic model with a linear trend. Validation with LST data from 119 high-altitude weather stations yielded robust results, but Landsat LST trends are biased due to unstable acquisition times. The bias varies with topographic slope and aspect. We discuss its origin and propose a simple correction method in relation to modeled changes in shortwave radiation.
Philipp Sebastian Arndt and Helen Amanda Fricker
The Cryosphere, 18, 5173–5206, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5173-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5173-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We develop a method for ice-sheet-scale retrieval of supraglacial meltwater depths using ICESat-2 photon data. We report results for two drainage basins in Greenland and Antarctica during two contrasting melt seasons, where our method reveals a total of 1249 lake segments up to 25 m deep. The large volume and wide variety of accurate depth data that our method provides enable the development of data-driven models of meltwater volumes in satellite imagery.
Weiran Li, Stef Lhermitte, Bert Wouters, Cornelis Slobbe, Max Brils, and Xavier Fettweis
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3251, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3251, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Due to the melt events in recent decades, the snow condition over Greenland has been changed. To observe this, we use a parameter (leading edge width; LeW) derived from satellite altimetry, and analyse its spatial and temporal variations. By comparing the LeW variations with modelled firn parameters, we concluded that the 2012 melt event has a long-lasting impact on the volume scattering of Greenland firn. This impact cannot fully recover due to the recent and more frequent melt events.
Alexander Störmer, Timo Kumpula, Miguel Villoslada, Pasi Korpelainen, Henning Schumacher, and Benjamin Burkhard
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2862, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2862, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Snow has a major impact on palsa development, yet understanding its distribution at small scale remains limited. We used LiDAR UAS and ground truth data in combination with machine learning to model snow distribution at three palsa sites. We identified extremes in snow depth corresponding to palsa topography, providing insights into the influence of snow distribution on their formation. The results demonstrate the applicability of machine learning for modeling snow distribution at a small scale.
Brenton A. Wilder, Joachim Meyer, Josh Enterkine, and Nancy F. Glenn
The Cryosphere, 18, 5015–5029, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5015-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5015-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Remotely sensed properties of snow are dependent on accurate terrain information, which for a lot of the cryosphere and seasonal snow zones is often insufficient in accuracy. However, as we show in this paper, we can bypass this issue by optimally solving for the terrain by utilizing the raw radiance data returned to the sensor. This method performed well when compared to validation datasets and has the potential to be used across a variety of different snow climates.
Benjamin J. Wallis, Anna E. Hogg, Yikai Zhu, and Andrew Hooper
The Cryosphere, 18, 4723–4742, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4723-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4723-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The grounding line, where ice begins to float, is an essential variable to understand ice dynamics, but in some locations it can be challenging to measure with established techniques. Using satellite data and a new method, Wallis et al. measure the grounding line position of glaciers and ice shelves in the Antarctic Peninsula and find retreats of up to 16.3 km have occurred since the last time measurements were made in the 1990s.
Clemens von Baeckmann, Annett Bartsch, Helena Bergstedt, Aleksandra Efimova, Barbara Widhalm, Dorothee Ehrich, Timo Kumpula, Alexander Sokolov, and Svetlana Abdulmanova
The Cryosphere, 18, 4703–4722, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4703-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4703-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Lakes are common features in Arctic permafrost areas. Land cover change following their drainage needs to be monitored since it has implications for ecology and the carbon cycle. Satellite data are key in this context. We compared a common vegetation index approach with a novel land-cover-monitoring scheme. Land cover information provides specific information on wetland features. We also showed that the bioclimatic gradients play a significant role after drainage within the first 10 years.
Jack C. Landy, Claude de Rijke-Thomas, Carmen Nab, Isobel Lawrence, Isolde A. Glissenaar, Robbie D. C. Mallett, Renée M. Fredensborg Hansen, Alek Petty, Michel Tsamados, Amy R. Macfarlane, and Anne Braakmann-Folgmann
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2904, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2904, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this study we use three satellites to test the planned remote sensing approach of the upcoming mission CRISTAL over sea ice: that its dual radars will accurately measure the heights of the top and base of snow sitting atop floating sea ice floes. Our results suggest that CRISTAL's dual radars won’t necessarily measure the snow top and base under all conditions. We find that accurate height measurements depend much more on surface roughness than on snow properties, as is commonly assumed.
Renée M. Fredensborg Hansen, Henriette Skourup, Eero Rinne, Arttu Jutila, Isobel R. Lawrence, Andrew Shepherd, Knut V. Høyland, Jilu Li, Fernando Rodriguez-Morales, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Jeremy Wilkinson, Gaelle Veyssiere, Donghui Yi, René Forsberg, and Taniâ G. D. Casal
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2854, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2854, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In December 2022, an airborne campaign collected unprecedented coincident multi-frequency radar and lidar data over sea ice along a CryoSat-2 and ICESat-2 (CRYO2ICE) orbit in the Weddell Sea useful for evaluating microwave penetration. We found limited snow penetration at Ka- and Ku-bands, with significant contributions from the air-snow interface, contradicting traditional assumptions. These findings challenge current methods for comparing air- and spaceborne altimeter estimates of sea ice.
Zhimeng Zhang, Shannon Brown, and Andreas Colliander
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2578, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2578, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Retrieving accurate water vapor and temperature profiles over land is challenging due to uncertainties in estimating surface emissions. To address this, we've developed an iterative method that combines atmospheric retrieval with surface emissions estimation. Using ATMS data across various microwave frequencies, we successfully tracked atmospheric temperature and humidity changes. Testing against Radiosonde data showed our method is efficient and accurate, especially in detecting melting events.
Nils Risse, Mario Mech, Catherine Prigent, Gunnar Spreen, and Susanne Crewell
The Cryosphere, 18, 4137–4163, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4137-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4137-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Passive microwave observations from satellites are crucial for monitoring Arctic sea ice and atmosphere. To do this effectively, it is important to understand how sea ice emits microwaves. Through unique Arctic sea ice observations, we improved our understanding, identified four distinct emission types, and expanded current knowledge to include higher frequencies. These findings will enhance our ability to monitor the Arctic climate and provide valuable information for new satellite missions.
Filippo Emilio Scarsi, Alessandro Battaglia, Maximilian Maahn, and Stef Lhermitte
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1917, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-1917, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Snowfall measurements at high latitudes are crucial for estimating ice sheet mass balance. Spaceborne radar and radiometer missions help estimate snowfall but face uncertainties. This work evaluates uncertainties in snowfall estimates from a fixed near-nadir radar (CloudSat-like) and a conically scanning radar (WIVERN-like), determining that WIVERN will provide much better estimates than CloudSat, and at much smaller spatial and temporal scales.
Melody Sandells, Nick Rutter, Kirsty Wivell, Richard Essery, Stuart Fox, Chawn Harlow, Ghislain Picard, Alexandre Roy, Alain Royer, and Peter Toose
The Cryosphere, 18, 3971–3990, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3971-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3971-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Satellite microwave observations are used for weather forecasting. In Arctic regions this is complicated by natural emission from snow. By simulating airborne observations from in situ measurements of snow, this study shows how snow properties affect the signal within the atmosphere. Fresh snowfall between flights changed airborne measurements. Good knowledge of snow layering and structure can be used to account for the effects of snow and could unlock these data to improve forecasts.
Veit Helm, Alireza Dehghanpour, Ronny Hänsch, Erik Loebel, Martin Horwath, and Angelika Humbert
The Cryosphere, 18, 3933–3970, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3933-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-3933-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new approach (AWI-ICENet1), based on a deep convolutional neural network, for analysing satellite radar altimeter measurements to accurately determine the surface height of ice sheets. Surface height estimates obtained with AWI-ICENet1 (along with related products, such as ice sheet height change and volume change) show improved and unbiased results compared to other products. This is important for the long-term monitoring of ice sheet mass loss and its impact on sea level rise.
Cited articles
Anklin, M. and Stauffer, B.: Pattern of annual snow accumulation along a west Greenland flow lone: no significant change observed during recent decades, Tellus B, 46, 294–303, 1994.
Arcone, S., Spikes, V., Hamilton, G., and Mayewski, P. A.: Stratigraphic continuity in 400 MHz short-pulse radar profiles of firn in West Antarctica, Ann. Glaciol., 39, 195–200, 2004.
Arcone, S., Spikes, V., and Hamilton, G.: Stratigraphic variation within polar firn caused by differential accumulation and ice flow: interpretation of a 400 MHz short-pulse radar profile from West Antarctica, J. Glaciol., 51, 407–422, 2005.
Bales, R. C., McConnell, J. R., Mosley-Thompson, E., and Csatho, B.: Accumulation over the Greenland ice sheet from historical and recent records, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 106, 33813–33825, 2001.
Bales, R. C., Guo, Q., Shen, D., McConnell, J., Du, G., Burkhart, J. F., Spikes, V., Hanna, E., and Cappelen, J.: Annual accumulation for Greenland updated using ice core data developed during 2000–2006 and analysis of daily coastal meteorological data, J. Geophys. Res., 114, D06116, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JD011208, 2009.
Banta, J. and McConnell, J. R.: Annual accumulation over recent centuries at four sites in central Greenland, J. Geophys. Res., 112, D10114, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007887, 2007.
Benson, C.: Stratigraphic studies in the snow and firn of the Greenland ice sheet., Research Report 70, U.S. Army Snow, Ice and Permafrost Research Establishment, Corps of Engineers, 1962.
Black, H. and Budd, W.: Accumulation in the region of Wilkes, Wilkes Land, Antarctica, J. Glaciol., 5, 3–15, 1964.
Box, J. E., Bromwich, D. H., and Bai, L. S.: Greenland ice sheet surface mass balance 1991–2000: application of Polar MM5 mesoscale model and in situ data, J. Geophys. Res., 109, D16105, https://doi.org/10.1029/2003JD004451, 2004.
Bromwich, D. H., Chen, Q. S., Bai, L. S., Cassano, E., and Li, Y.: Modeled precipitation variability over the Greenland ice sheet, J. Geophys. Res., 106, 33891–33908, 2001.
Burgess, E., Forster, R. R., Box, J. E., Mosley-Thompson, E., Bromwich, D. H., Bales, R. C., and Smith, L.: A spatially calibrated model of annual accumulation rate on the Greenland Ice Sheet (1958–2007), J. Geophys. Res., 115, F02004, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JF001293, 2010.
Cullen, R.: CryoVEx Airborne Data Products Description, ASIRAS 2.6.1, European Space Agency, ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands, 2010.
Dansgaard, W.: Frozen Annals: Greenland Ice Sheet Research, Aage V. Jenkins Fonde (Denmark), 1st Edn., available at: http://www.nbi.ku.dk/english/www/willi/dansgaard/tilbage-til-groenland/ (last access: 12 August 2015), 2004.
de la Peña, S., Nienow, P., Shepherd, A., Helm, V., Mair, D., Hanna, E., Huybrechts, P., Guo, Q., Cullen, R., and Wingham, D.: Spatially extensive estimates of annual accumulation in the dry snow zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet determined from radar altimetry, The Cryosphere, 4, 467–474, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-4-467-2010, 2010.
Eisen, O., Frezzotti, M., Genthon, C., Isaksson, E., Magand, O., van den Broeke, M. R., Dixon, D., Ekaykin, A., Holmlund, P., Kameda, T., Karlöf, L., Kaspari, S., Lipenkov, V., Oerter, H., Takahashi, S., and Vaughan, D. G.: Ground-based measurements of spatial and temporal variability of snow accumulation in East Antarctica, Rev. Geophys., 46, RG2001, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006RG000218, 2008.
ESA-ASIRAS, EO Portal Directory: ASIRAS (Airborne SAR/Interferometric Radar System), https://directory.eoportal.org/web/eoportal/airborne-sensors/asiras, European Space Agency, Earth Observation Ground Segment Department User Services and Mission Planning Office, Frascati (Rome) Italy, 2016.
ESA-EarthOnline: How to access EO data, https://earth.esa.int/web/guest/data-access/how-to-access-eo-data/how-to-access-earth-observation-data-distributed-by-esa, European Space Agency, Earth Observation Ground Segment Department User Services and Mission Planning Office, Frascati (Rome) Italy, 2016.
Fischer, H., Wagenbach, D., Laternser, M., and Haeberli, W.: Glaciometerological and isotopic studies along the EGIG line, central Greenland ice sheet, J. Glaciol., 41, 515–527, 1995.
Hawley, R. L., Morris, E. M., Cullen, R., Nixdorf, U., Shepherd, A. P., and Wingham, D. J.: ASIRAS airborne radar resolves internal annual layers in the dry-snow zone of Greenland, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L04502, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL025147, 2006.
Hawley, R. L., Morris, E. M., and McConnell, J.: Intruments and methods rapid techniques for determining annual accumulation applied at Summit, Greenland, J. Glaciol., 54, 839–845, 2008.
Hawley, R. L., Courville, Z., Kehrl, L., Lutz, E., Osterberg, E., Overly, T., and Wong, G.: Recent accumulation variability in northwest Greenland from ground-penetrating radar and shallow cores along the Greenland Inland Traverse, J. Glaciol., 60, 375–382, 2014.
Helm, V., Rack, W., Cullen, R., Neinow, P., Mair, D., Parry, V., and Wingham, D. J.: Winter accumulation in the percolation zone of Greenland measured by airborne radar altimeter, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L06501, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL029185, 2007.
Herron, M. and Langway Jr., C.: Firn densification: an empirical model, J. Glaciol., 25, 373–385, 1980.
IPCC: Climate Change 2014 Synthesis Report, edited by: Pachauri, K., Meyer, L., and core writing team, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC Secretariat, Geneva, Switzerland, 2014.
Kovacs, A., Gow, A. J., and Morey, R. M.: The in-situ dielectric constant of polar firn revisted, Cold Reg. Sci. Technol., 23, 245–256, 1995.
McConnell, J. R., Mosley-Thompson, E., Bromwich, D. H., Bales, R. C., and Kyne, J. D.: Interannual variations of snow accumulation on the Greenland Ice Sheet (1985–1996): new observations versus model predictions, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 105, 4039–4046, 2000.
McConnell, J. R., Lamorey, G., Hanna, E., Mosley-Thompson, E., Bales, R. C., Belle-Oudry, D., and Kyne, J. D.: Annual net snow accumulation over southern Greenland from 1975 to 1998, J. Geophys. Res., 106, 33827–33837, 2001.
Medley, B., Joughin, I., Das, S., Steig, E. J., Conway, H., Gogineni, S., Criscitiello, A., McConnell, J., Smith, B., van den Broeke, M. R., Lenaerts, J., Bromwich, D., and Nicolas, J.: Airborne-radar and ice-core observations of annual snow accumulation over Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica confirm the spatiotemporal variability of global and regional atmospheric models, Geophys. Res. Lett., 40, 3649–3654, 2013.
Medley, B., Joughin, I., Smith, B. E., Das, S. B., Steig, E. J., Conway, H., Gogineni, S., Lewis, C., Criscitiello, A. S., McConnell, J. R., van den Broeke, M. R., Lenaerts, J. T. M., Bromwich, D. H., Nicolas, J. P., and Leuschen, C.: Constraining the recent mass balance of Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, West Antarctica, with airborne observations of snow accumulation, The Cryosphere, 8, 1375–1392, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-1375-2014, 2014.
Merlivat, L., Lorius, C., Ravoire, J., and Vergnaud, J.: Tritium and deuterium content of the snow in Groenland, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 19, 235–240, 1973.
Miége, C., Forster, R. R., Box, J. E., Burgess, E. W., McConnell, J. R., Pasteris, D. R., and Spikes, V. B.: Southeast Greenland high accumulation rates derived from firn cores and ground-penetrating radar, Ann. Glaciol., 54, 322–332, 2013.
Morris, E. M.: A theoretical analysis of the neutron-scattering method for measuring snow and ice density, J. Geophys. Res., 113, F03019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JF000962, 2008.
Morris, E. M. and Cooper, J.: Density measurements in ice boreholes using neutron scattering, J. Glaciol., 49, 599–604, 2003.
Morris, E. M. and Wingham, D. J.: The effect of fluctuations in surface density, accumulation and compaction on elevation change rates along the EGIG line, central Greenland, J. Glaciol., 57, 416–430, 2011.
Morris, E. M. and Wingham, D. J.: Densification of polar snow: measurements, modeling, and implications for altimetry, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 119, 349–365, 2014.
Mosley-Thompson, E., McConnell, J. R., Bales, R. C., Lin, P. N., Steffen, K., Thompson, L. G., Edwards, R., and Bathke, D.: Local to regional-scale variability of annual net accumulation on the Greenland ice sheet from PARCA cores, Journal Of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, 106, 33839–33851, 2001.
Noël, B., van de Berg, W. J., van Meijgaard, E., Kuipers Munneke, P., van de Wal, R. S. W., and van den Broeke, M. R.: Evaluation of the updated regional climate model RACMO2.3: summer snowfall impact on the Greenland Ice Sheet, The Cryosphere, 9, 1831–1844, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1831-2015, 2015.
NSIDC: GISP2 B-Core Density. The Greenland Summit Ice Cores CD-ROM, Tech. rep., National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1997.
Renaud, A., Schumacher, E., Hughes, B., Oeschger, H., and Mühlemann, C.: Tritium variations in Greenland Ice, J. Geophys. Res., 68, p. 3783, https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ068i013p03783, 1963.
Rignot, E., Box, J., and Burgess, E.: Mass balance of the Greenland ice sheet from 1958 to 2007, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L20502, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL035417, 2008.
Simonsen, S., Stenseng, S., Aðalgeirsdóttir, G., Fausto, R., Hvidberg, C. S., and Lucas-Picher, P.: Assessing a multilayered dynamic firn-compaction model for Greenland with ASIRAS radar measurements, J. Glaciol., 59, 545–558, 2013.
Spikes, V., Hamilton, G., Arcone, S., Kaspari, S., and Mayewski, P.: Variability in accumulation rates from GRP profiling on the West Antarctic plateau, Ann. Glaciol., 39, 238–244, 2004.
Steffen, K. and Box, J.: Surface climatology of the Greenland ice sheet: Greenland Climate Network 1995–1999, J. Geophys. Res., 106, 33951–33964, 2001.
Stenseng, L., Hvidegaard, S., Skourup, H., Forsberg, R., Andersen, C., Hanson, S., Cullen, R., and Helm, V.: Airborne Lidar and Radar Measurements In and Around Greenland CryoVEx 2006, Tech. rep., Danish National Space Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2007.
Tedesco, M., Fettweis, X., and Alexander, P.: MAR v3.2 regional climate model data for Greenland (1958–2013). UCAR/NCAR – CISL – ACADIS., https://doi.org/10.5065/D6JH3J7Z, 2015.
Wessel, P., Smith, W. H. F., Scharroo, R., Luis, J. F., and Wobbe, F.: Generic Mapping Tools: Improved version released, EOS Trans. AGU, 94, 409–410, 2013.
Zwally, H. J. and Li, J.: Seasonal and interannual variations of firn densification and ice-sheet surface elevation at the Greenland summit, J. Glaciol., 48, 199–207, 2002.
Short summary
We demonstrate that snow accumulation rates across the Greenland Ice Sheet, determined from RADAR layers and modeled snow density profiles, are identical to ground-based measurements of snow accumulation. Three regional climate models underestimate snow accumulation compared to RADAR layer estimates. Using RADAR increases spatial coverage and improves accuracy of snow accumulation estimates. Incorporating our results into climate models may reduce uncertainty of sea-level rise estimates.
We demonstrate that snow accumulation rates across the Greenland Ice Sheet, determined from...
