Articles | Volume 12, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1273-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1273-2018
© Author(s) 2018. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
11 Apr 2018
Research article |
| 11 Apr 2018
| 11 Apr 2018
Changing pattern of ice flow and mass balance for glaciers discharging into the Larsen A and B embayments, Antarctic Peninsula, 2011 to 2016
ENVEO IT GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
Institute of Atmospheric and Cryospheric Sciences, University of
Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
Wael Abdel Jaber
Institute for Remote Sensing Technology, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Jan Wuite
ENVEO IT GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
Stefan Scheiblauer
ENVEO IT GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
Dana Floricioiu
Institute for Remote Sensing Technology, German Aerospace Center,
Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
Jan Melchior van Wessem
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University,
Utrecht, the Netherlands
Thomas Nagler
ENVEO IT GmbH, Innsbruck, Austria
Nuno Miranda
European Space Agency/ESRIN, Frascati, Italy
Michiel R. van den Broeke
Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht University,
Utrecht, the Netherlands
Related authors
Helmut Rott, Thomas Nagler, Markus Hetzenecker, Ralf Horn, Jens Fischer, and Julia Kubanek
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2104, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2104, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
The paper reports on a field experiment in Alpine terrain addressing methods for deriving snow mass from synthetic aperture radar data. Multiple repeat-pass acquisitions spanning snowfall events of different intensity were acquired with an airborne C- and L-band radar system. Three different approaches based on the interferometric path delay in snow were applied for retrieving snow mass, confirming the performance of the method. The complementarity of different processing approaches is shown.
Juha Lemmetyinen, Juval Cohen, Anna Kontu, Juho Vehviläinen, Henna-Reetta Hannula, Ioanna Merkouriadi, Stefan Scheiblauer, Helmut Rott, Thomas Nagler, Elisabeth Ripper, Kelly Elder, Hans-Peter Marshall, Reinhard Fromm, Marc Adams, Chris Derksen, Joshua King, Adriano Meta, Alex Coccia, Nick Rutter, Melody Sandells, Giovanni Macelloni, Emanuele Santi, Marion Leduc-Leballeur, Richard Essery, Cecile Menard, and Michael Kern
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3915–3945, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3915-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3915-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The manuscript describes airborne, dual-polarised X and Ku band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data collected over several campaigns over snow-covered terrain in Finland, Austria and Canada. Colocated snow and meteorological observations are also presented. The data are meant for science users interested in investigating X/Ku band radar signatures from natural environments in winter conditions.
Marlena Reil, Julia Kaltenborn, Donovan J. M. Allum, Francis Pelletier, Sebastian Roessler, Samip Shrestha, Zhibang Lv, John Truckenbrodt, Gabriele Schwaizer, Thomas Nagler, John W. Pomeroy, Christopher B. Marsh, Benoit Montpetit, Tobias Jonas, Gabriel Tseng, David Rolnick, Andreas J. Dietz, and Celia A. Baumhoer
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3833, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3833, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
Many communities rely on snowmelt from the mountains for their water supply. However, monitoring snow from space is challenging because clouds and other factors can obscure satellite observations. We present SnowGalileo, an AI model that combines data from multiple satellites to produce snow maps. The model can produce accurate maps even when clouds are present and high-resolution data are missing. This helps to improve our understanding of snow conditions and their impact on water resources.
Marte Gé Hofsteenge, Willem Jan van de Berg, Christiaan van Dalum, Kristiina Verro, Maurice van Tiggelen, and Michiel van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 20, 4747–4766, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-4747-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-4747-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We use a regional climate model to study how surface melt on Antarctic ice shelves responds to air temperature. The relationship is strongly non-linear, mainly due to feedbacks in surface albedo, with other energy sources also contributing. Currently colder, drier, and more stable ice shelves will experience more melt at the same temperature than ice shelves in wetter climates, highlighting their vulnerability to fracturing, ice shelf instability, and contributions to global sea-level rise.
Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Willem Jan van de Berg, Michiel R. van den Broeke, and Luke D. Trusel
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3453, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3453, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
Antarctica has floating ice shelves around its perimeter that provide stability to the ice sheet. As temperature rises, snow on the ice shelves may melt away, and ponding of meltwater may cause the ice shelves to collapse. If that happens, Antarctica may start to lose ice faster than before, resulting in accelerated sea-level rise. The tool presented in this article will be used in simulations of future climate to determine when climate change leads to collapse of the ice shelves in Antarctica.
Oscar Rojas-Munoz, Constantin Ardilouze, Bertrand Bonan, Diane Tzanos, Darren Ghent, Céline Lamarche, Thomas Nagler, and Jean-Christophe Calvet
The Cryosphere, 20, 4099–4115, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-4099-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-4099-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
This study evaluated how updating land cover maps, such as forests, grasslands, and croplands, affects simulations of snow and land surface temperatures across Europe from 2010 to 2022. Results using older, less detailed maps were compared with those from newer, high-resolution data. The updated maps improved the accuracy of snow predictions, particularly in areas where grasslands transitioned to forests. However, the improvements were less noticeable for temperature simulations.
Fredrik Boberg, Xavier Fettweis, Nicolaj Hansen, Ruth Mottram, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 20, 2947–2960, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-2947-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-2947-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
An ensemble of regional climate model simulations is used to estimate the 21st century change in precipitation on the Greenland ice sheet. For the end of the century, the change is in the range 40 to 170 Gt per year, depending on the emission scenario. Using annual values of 2 m air temperature and precipitation, we estimate an increase in precipitation of 35 Gt per year for every degree of warming.
Helmut Rott, Thomas Nagler, Markus Hetzenecker, Ralf Horn, Jens Fischer, and Julia Kubanek
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2104, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-2104, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
The paper reports on a field experiment in Alpine terrain addressing methods for deriving snow mass from synthetic aperture radar data. Multiple repeat-pass acquisitions spanning snowfall events of different intensity were acquired with an airborne C- and L-band radar system. Three different approaches based on the interferometric path delay in snow were applied for retrieving snow mass, confirming the performance of the method. The complementarity of different processing approaches is shown.
Samuel M. Tax, Maurice van Tiggelen, Thirza N. Feenstra, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Srinidhi N. Gadde, Christiaan T. van Dalum, Willem Jan van de Berg, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1926, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1926, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Strong winds can lift snow into the air, which influences the energy exchange between the surface and the atmosphere. We studied this phenomenon over the Greenland Ice Sheet using observations and a climate model. We found that blowing snow traps heat near the surface like a blanket and reflects incoming sunlight like a mirror. Simulating these processes increases the net energy at the surface and improves model accuracy. Therefore, we recommend including these effects in climate models.
Benjamin Heurgue, Charles Amory, Christoph Kittel, Fredrik Boberg, Gaël Durand, Vincent Favier, Xavier Fettweis, Quentin Glaude, Heiko Goelzer, Nicolaj Hansen, Nicolas C. Jourdain, Ruth Mottram, Martin Olesen, Willem Jan Van de Berg, Michiel R. Van den Broeke, and René R. Wijngaard
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-624, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-624, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We studied how the Antarctic ice sheet surface mass balance may change by 2100 using three high-resolution climate models forced by the same future climate scenario. While the models agree for present-day conditions, they project very different futures, especially over floating ice shelves. These differences mainly come from how melting, refreezing, and temperature are represented. Our results show that future sea level projections strongly depend on how well models simulate today’s climate.
Tesse E. A. van den Aker, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Willem Jan van de Berg, Walter W. Immerzeel, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-462, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-462, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
The firn layer, i.e. permanent snow, regulates how an ice sheet responds to climate change. Firn models are forced with with climate data at time steps from sub-daily to annual in literature, however, implications are barely evaluated. We test the impact of different climate forcing time steps on the modeled firn layer. We conclude that the climate forcing time step (1) affects firn model output, (2) can lead to non-physical behaviour, and (3) that resolving at least a diurnal cycle is required.
Thirza N. Feenstra, Willem Jan van de Berg, Gerd-Jan van Zadelhoff, David P. Donovan, Christiaan T. van Dalum, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 19, 1323–1344, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1323-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1323-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Cloud representation brings large uncertainties in polar climate modeling. We show the first evaluation of Greenland clouds in the Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO2.4) with new EarthCARE satellite data. Comparing lidar and radar observations and retrieved cloud profiles with co-located RACMO output, we find RACMO captures low ice clouds but underestimates high clouds, mid-altitude liquid clouds, and snowfall. These results highlight EarthCARE's potential to improve polar climate models.
Ida Haven, Hans Christian Steen-Larsen, Laura J. Dietrich, Sonja Wahl, Jason E. Box, Michiel R. van den Broeke, Alun Hubbard, Stephan T. Kral, Joachim Reuder, and Maurice van Tiggelen
The Cryosphere, 20, 573–593, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-573-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-573-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Three independent Eddy-Covariance measurement systems deployed on top of the Greenland Ice Sheet are compared. Using this dataset, we evaluate the reproducibility and quantify the differences between the systems. The fidelity of two regional climate models in capturing the seasonal variability in the latent and sensible heat flux between the snow surface and the atmosphere is assessed. We identify differences between observations and model simulations, especially during the winter period.
Horst Machguth, Andrew Tedstone, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Max Brils, Brice Noël, Nicole Clerx, Nicolas Jullien, Xavier Fettweis, and Michiel van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 20, 427–452, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-427-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-427-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
Due to increasing air temperatures, surface melt expands to higher elevations on the Greenland ice sheet. This is visible on satellite imagery in the form of rivers of meltwater running across the surface of the ice sheet. We compare model results of meltwater at high elevations on the ice sheet to satellite observations. We find that each of the models shows strengths and weaknesses. A detailed look into the model results reveals potential reasons for the differences between models.
Valeria Di Biase, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Bert Wouters, Michiel R. van den Broeke, and Maurice van Tiggelen
The Cryosphere, 20, 87–96, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-87-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-87-2026, 2026
Short summary
Short summary
We produce annual maps of Antarctic surface melt volumes from 2012 to 2021 using satellite microwave data. We detect melting days from thresholds on the satellite signal and then use actual melt measurements from weather stations to convert those signals into water‑equivalent volumes. Our maps capture known melt hotspots and show slightly lower totals than climate models. This dataset supports climate and ice‑shelf studies.
Heiko Goelzer, Constantijn J. Berends, Fredrik Boberg, Gael Durand, Tamsin L. Edwards, Xavier Fettweis, Fabien Gillet-Chaulet, Quentin Glaude, Philippe Huybrechts, Sébastien Le clec'h, Ruth Mottram, Brice Noël, Martin Olesen, Charlotte Rahlves, Jeremy Rohmer, Michiel van den Broeke, and Roderik S. W. van de Wal
The Cryosphere, 19, 6887–6906, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6887-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-6887-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present an ensemble of ice sheet model projections for the Greenland ice sheet. The focus is on providing projections that improve our understanding of the range future sea-level rise and the inherent uncertainties over the next 100 to 300 years. Compared to earlier work we more fully account for some of the uncertainties in sea-level projections. We include a wider range of climate model output, more climate change scenarios and we extend projections schematically up to year 2300.
Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Willem Jan van de Berg, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Nicolaj Hansen, Fredrik Boberg, Christoph Kittel, Charles Amory, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 19, 5157–5173, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5157-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-5157-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Perennial firn aquifers (PFAs), year-round bodies of liquid water within firns, can potentially impact ice-shelf and ice-sheet stability. We developed a fast XGBoost firn emulator to predict the 21st-century distribution of PFAs in Antarctica for 12 climatic forcing datasets. Our findings suggest that, in low-emission scenarios, PFAs remain confined to the Antarctic Peninsula. However, in a high-emission scenario, PFAs are projected to expand to a region in West Antarctica and East Antarctica.
Christiaan T. van Dalum, Willem Jan van de Berg, Michiel R. van den Broeke, and Maurice van Tiggelen
The Cryosphere, 19, 4061–4090, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4061-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-4061-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we present a new surface mass balance (SMB) and near-surface climate product for Antarctica with the regional climate model RACMO2.4p1. We assess the impact of major model updates on the climate of Antarctica. Locally, the SMB has changed substantially but also agrees well with observations. In addition, we show that the SMB components, surface energy budget, albedo, pressure, temperature, and wind speed compare well with in situ and remote sensing observations.
Maurice van Tiggelen, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Carleen H. Reijmer, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 4933–4955, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4933-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4933-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This paper describes the measurements from the 19 IMAU (Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht) automatic weather stations that operated on the Antarctic ice sheet from 1995 through 2022. These stations also measured the net surface radiation and surface height change, allowing for the quantification of the surface energy and mass balance at hourly resolution. These data are invaluable for the evaluation of atmospheric models and for the detection of climatological changes.
Anneke L. Vries, Willem Jan van de Berg, Brice Noël, Lorenz Meire, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 19, 3897–3914, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3897-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3897-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Freshwater flows into Greenland's fjords from various sources. Solid ice discharge (e.g. calving icebergs) dominates freshwater input in the southeast and northwest. In contrast, in the southwest, runoff from the ice sheet and tundra are the most significant. Seasonal data revealed that fjord precipitation and tundra runoff contribute up to 11 % and 35 % of the monthly freshwater input, respectively. Our results provide valuable input for ocean models and for researchers studying fjord ecosystems.
Anna Puggaard, Nicolaj Hansen, Ruth Mottram, Thomas Nagler, Stefan Scheiblauer, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Louise S. Sørensen, Jan Wuite, and Anne M. Solgaard
The Cryosphere, 19, 2963–2981, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2963-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-2963-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Regional climate models are currently the only source for assessing the melt volume of the Greenland Ice Sheet on a global scale. This study compares the modeled melt volume with observations from weather stations and melt extent observed from the Advanced SCATterometer (ASCAT) to assess the performance of the models. It highlights the importance of critically evaluating model outputs with high-quality satellite measurements to improve the understanding of variability among models.
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.
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.
Richard Parsons, Sainan Sun, G. Hilmar Gudmundsson, Jan Wuite, and Thomas Nagler
The Cryosphere, 18, 5789–5801, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5789-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-5789-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In 2022, multi-year landfast sea ice in Antarctica's Larsen B embayment disintegrated, after which time an increase in the rate at which Crane Glacier discharged ice into the ocean was observed. As the fast ice was joined to the glacier terminus, it could provide resistance against the glacier's flow, slowing down the rate of ice discharge. We used numerical modelling to quantify this resistive stress and found that the fast ice provided significant support to Crane prior to its disintegration.
Maria T. Kappelsberger, Martin Horwath, Eric Buchta, Matthias O. Willen, Ludwig Schröder, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 18, 4355–4378, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4355-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4355-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The interannual variations in the height of the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) are mainly due to natural variations in snowfall. Precise knowledge of these variations is important for the detection of any long-term climatic trends in AIS surface elevation. We present a new product that spatially resolves these height variations over the period 1992–2017. The product combines the strengths of atmospheric modeling results and satellite altimetry measurements.
Christiaan T. van Dalum, Willem Jan van de Berg, Srinidhi N. Gadde, Maurice van Tiggelen, Tijmen van der Drift, Erik van Meijgaard, Lambertus H. van Ulft, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 18, 4065–4088, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4065-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-4065-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new version of the polar Regional Atmospheric Climate Model (RACMO), version 2.4p1, and show first results for Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic. We provide an overview of all changes and investigate the impact that they have on the climate of polar regions. By comparing the results with observations and the output from the previous model version, we show that the model performs well regarding the surface mass balance of the ice sheets and near-surface climate.
Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Willem Jan van de Berg, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 18, 1983–1999, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1983-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-1983-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We use the IMAU firn densification model to simulate the 21st-century evolution of Antarctic firn air content. Ice shelves on the Antarctic Peninsula and the Roi Baudouin Ice Shelf in Dronning Maud Land are particularly vulnerable to total firn air content (FAC) depletion. Our results also underline the potentially large vulnerability of low-accumulation ice shelves to firn air depletion through ice slab formation.
Baptiste Vandecrux, Robert S. Fausto, Jason E. Box, Federico Covi, Regine Hock, Åsa K. Rennermalm, Achim Heilig, Jakob Abermann, Dirk van As, Elisa Bjerre, Xavier Fettweis, Paul C. J. P. Smeets, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Michiel R. van den Broeke, Max Brils, Peter L. Langen, Ruth Mottram, and Andreas P. Ahlstrøm
The Cryosphere, 18, 609–631, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-609-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-609-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
How fast is the Greenland ice sheet warming? In this study, we compiled 4500+ temperature measurements at 10 m below the ice sheet surface (T10m) from 1912 to 2022. We trained a machine learning model on these data and reconstructed T10m for the ice sheet during 1950–2022. After a slight cooling during 1950–1985, the ice sheet warmed at a rate of 0.7 °C per decade until 2022. Climate models showed mixed results compared to our observations and underestimated the warming in key regions.
Lena G. Buth, Valeria Di Biase, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Stef Lhermitte, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Sophie de Roda Husman, Michiel R. van den Broeke, and Bert Wouters
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2000, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-2000, 2023
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
Liquid meltwater which is stored in air bubbles in the compacted snow near the surface of Antarctica can affect ice shelf stability. In order to detect the presence of such firn aquifers over large scales, satellite remote sensing is needed. In this paper, we present our new detection method using radar satellite data as well as the results for the whole Antarctic Peninsula. Firn aquifers are found in the north and northwest of the peninsula, in agreement with locations predicted by models.
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.
Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Willem Jan van de Berg, Max Brils, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 17, 1675–1696, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1675-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1675-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Firn is the transition of snow to glacier ice and covers 99 % of the Antarctic ice sheet. Knowledge about the firn layer and its variability is important, as it impacts satellite-based estimates of ice sheet mass change. Also, firn contains pores in which nearly all of the surface melt is retained. Here, we improve a semi-empirical firn model and simulate the firn characteristics for the period 1979–2020. We evaluate the performance with field and satellite measures and test its sensitivity.
Marte G. Hofsteenge, Nicolas J. Cullen, Carleen H. Reijmer, Michiel van den Broeke, Marwan Katurji, and John F. Orwin
The Cryosphere, 16, 5041–5059, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-5041-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-5041-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), foehn winds can impact glacial meltwater production and the fragile ecosystem that depends on it. We study these dry and warm winds at Joyce Glacier and show they are caused by a different mechanism than that found for nearby valleys, demonstrating the complex interaction of large-scale winds with the mountains in the MDV. We find that foehn winds increase sublimation of ice, increase heating from the atmosphere, and increase the occurrence and rates of melt.
Karla Boxall, Frazer D. W. Christie, Ian C. Willis, Jan Wuite, and Thomas Nagler
The Cryosphere, 16, 3907–3932, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3907-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3907-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Using high-spatial- and high-temporal-resolution satellite imagery, we provide the first evidence for seasonal flow variability of land ice draining to George VI Ice Shelf (GVIIS), Antarctica. Ultimately, our findings imply that other glaciers in Antarctica may be susceptible to – and/or currently undergoing – similar ice-flow seasonality, including at the highly vulnerable and rapidly retreating Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers.
Lena G. Buth, Bert Wouters, Sanne B. M. Veldhuijsen, Stef Lhermitte, Peter Kuipers Munneke, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-127, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2022-127, 2022
Manuscript not accepted for further review
Short summary
Short summary
Liquid meltwater which is stored in air bubbles in the compacted snow near the surface of Antarctica can affect ice shelf stability. In order to detect the presence of such firn aquifers over large scales, satellite remote sensing is needed. In this paper, we present our new detection method using radar satellite data as well as the results for the whole Antarctic Peninsula. Firn aquifers are found in the north and northwest of the peninsula, in agreement with locations predicted by models.
Jeremy Carter, Amber Leeson, Andrew Orr, Christoph Kittel, and J. Melchior van Wessem
The Cryosphere, 16, 3815–3841, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3815-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-3815-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Climate models provide valuable information for studying processes such as the collapse of ice shelves over Antarctica which impact estimates of sea level rise. This paper examines variability across climate simulations over Antarctica for fields including snowfall, temperature and melt. Significant systematic differences between outputs are found, occurring at both large and fine spatial scales across Antarctica. Results are important for future impact assessments and model development.
Max Brils, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Willem Jan van de Berg, and Michiel van den Broeke
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7121–7138, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7121-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7121-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Firn covers the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) and can temporarily prevent mass loss. Here, we present the latest version of our firn model, IMAU-FDM, with an application to the GrIS. We improved the density of fallen snow, the firn densification rate and the firn's thermal conductivity. This leads to a higher air content and 10 m temperatures. Furthermore we investigate three case studies and find that the updated model shows greater variability and an increased sensitivity in surface elevation.
Juha Lemmetyinen, Juval Cohen, Anna Kontu, Juho Vehviläinen, Henna-Reetta Hannula, Ioanna Merkouriadi, Stefan Scheiblauer, Helmut Rott, Thomas Nagler, Elisabeth Ripper, Kelly Elder, Hans-Peter Marshall, Reinhard Fromm, Marc Adams, Chris Derksen, Joshua King, Adriano Meta, Alex Coccia, Nick Rutter, Melody Sandells, Giovanni Macelloni, Emanuele Santi, Marion Leduc-Leballeur, Richard Essery, Cecile Menard, and Michael Kern
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 3915–3945, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3915-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-3915-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The manuscript describes airborne, dual-polarised X and Ku band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data collected over several campaigns over snow-covered terrain in Finland, Austria and Canada. Colocated snow and meteorological observations are also presented. The data are meant for science users interested in investigating X/Ku band radar signatures from natural environments in winter conditions.
Frank Paul, Livia Piermattei, Désirée Treichler, Lin Gilbert, Luc Girod, Andreas Kääb, Ludivine Libert, Thomas Nagler, Tazio Strozzi, and Jan Wuite
The Cryosphere, 16, 2505–2526, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2505-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Glacier surges are widespread in the Karakoram and have been intensely studied using satellite data and DEMs. We use time series of such datasets to study three glacier surges in the same region of the Karakoram. We found strongly contrasting advance rates and flow velocities, maximum velocities of 30 m d−1, and a change in the surge mechanism during a surge. A sensor comparison revealed good agreement, but steep terrain and the two smaller glaciers caused limitations for some of them.
Ludivine Libert, Jan Wuite, and Thomas Nagler
The Cryosphere, 16, 1523–1542, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1523-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1523-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Open fractures are important to monitor because they weaken the ice shelf structure. We propose a novel approach using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry for automatic delineation of ice shelf cracks. The method is applied to Sentinel-1 images of Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica, and the propagation of the North Rift, which led to iceberg calving in February 2021, is traced. It is also shown that SAR interferometry is more sensitive to rifting than SAR backscatter and optical imagery.
Matthew K. Laffin, Charles S. Zender, Melchior van Wessem, and Sebastián Marinsek
The Cryosphere, 16, 1369–1381, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1369-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1369-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The collapses of the Larsen A and B ice shelves on the Antarctic Peninsula (AP) occurred while the ice shelves were covered with large melt lakes, and ocean waves damaged the ice shelf fronts, triggering collapse. Observations show föhn winds were present on both ice shelves and increased surface melt and drove sea ice away from the ice front. Collapsed ice shelves experienced enhanced surface melt driven by föhn winds, whereas extant ice shelves are affected less by föhn-wind-induced melt.
Christiaan T. van Dalum, Willem Jan van de Berg, and Michiel R. van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 16, 1071–1089, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1071-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1071-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In this study, we improve the regional climate model RACMO2 and investigate the climate of Antarctica. We have implemented a new radiative transfer and snow albedo scheme and do several sensitivity experiments. When fully tuned, the results compare well with observations and snow temperature profiles improve. Moreover, small changes in the albedo and the investigated processes can lead to a strong overestimation of melt, locally leading to runoff and a reduced surface mass balance.
Nicolaj Hansen, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Fredrik Boberg, Christoph Kittel, Andrew Orr, Niels Souverijns, J. Melchior van Wessem, and Ruth Mottram
The Cryosphere, 16, 711–718, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-711-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-711-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the impact of different ice masks when modelling surface mass balance over Antarctica. We used ice masks and data from five of the most used regional climate models and a common mask. We see large disagreement between the ice masks, which has a large impact on the surface mass balance, especially around the Antarctic Peninsula and some of the largest glaciers. We suggest a solution for creating a new, up-to-date, high-resolution ice mask that can be used in Antarctic modelling.
Peter A. Tuckett, Jeremy C. Ely, Andrew J. Sole, James M. Lea, Stephen J. Livingstone, Julie M. Jones, and J. Melchior van Wessem
The Cryosphere, 15, 5785–5804, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5785-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5785-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Lakes form on the surface of the Antarctic Ice Sheet during the summer. These lakes can generate further melt, break up floating ice shelves and alter ice dynamics. Here, we describe a new automated method for mapping surface lakes and apply our technique to the Amery Ice Shelf between 2005 and 2020. Lake area is highly variable between years, driven by large-scale climate patterns. This technique will help us understand the role of Antarctic surface lakes in our warming world.
Zhongyang Hu, Peter Kuipers Munneke, Stef Lhermitte, Maaike Izeboud, and Michiel van den Broeke
The Cryosphere, 15, 5639–5658, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5639-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5639-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Antarctica is shrinking, and part of the mass loss is caused by higher temperatures leading to more snowmelt. We use computer models to estimate the amount of melt, but this can be inaccurate – specifically in the areas with the most melt. This is because the model cannot account for small, darker areas like rocks or darker ice. Thus, we trained a computer using artificial intelligence and satellite images that showed these darker areas. The model computed an improved estimate of melt.
Kenneth D. Mankoff, Xavier Fettweis, Peter L. Langen, Martin Stendel, Kristian K. Kjeldsen, Nanna B. Karlsson, Brice Noël, Michiel R. van den Broeke, Anne Solgaard, William Colgan, Jason E. Box, Sebastian B. Simonsen, Michalea D. King, Andreas P. Ahlstrøm, Signe Bech Andersen, and Robert S. Fausto
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 5001–5025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-5001-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-5001-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We estimate the daily mass balance and its components (surface, marine, and basal mass balance) for the Greenland ice sheet. Our time series begins in 1840 and has annual resolution through 1985 and then daily from 1986 through next week. Results are operational (updated daily) and provided for the entire ice sheet or by commonly used regions or sectors. This is the first input–output mass balance estimate to include the basal mass balance.
Cited articles
Abdel Jaber, W.: Derivation of mass balance and surface velocity of glaciers
by means of high resolution synthetic aperture radar: application to the
Patagonian Icefields and Antarctica, Doctoral Thesis, Technical University of
Munich, Munich, Germany; DLR Research Report 2016-54, Deutsches Zentrum für
Luft- und Raumfahrt, Köln, Germany, 236 pp., 2016.
Amundson, J. M., Fahnestock, M., Truffer, M., Brown, J., Lüthi, M. P.,
and Motyka, R. J.: Ice mélange dynamics and implications for terminus
stability, Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland, J. Geophys. Res., 115, F01005,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JF001405, 2016.
Berthier, E., Scambos, T. A., and Shuman, C. A.: Mass loss of Larsen B
tributary glaciers (Antarctic Peninsula) unabated since 2002, Geophys. Res.
Lett., 39, L13501, https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051755, 2012.
Cape, M. R., Vernet, M., Skarca, P., Marinsek, S., Scambos, T., and Domack,
E.: Foehn winds link climate-driven warming to ice shelf evolution in
Antarctica, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 120, 11037–11057, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JD023465, 2015.
Clem, K. R., Renwick, J. A., McGregor, J., and Fogt L. R.: The relative
influence of ENSO and SAM on Antarctic Peninsula climate, J. Geophys.
Res.-Atmos., 121, 9324–9341, https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD025305, 2016.
Cook, A. J., Murray, T., Luckman, A., Vaughan, D. G., and Barrand, N. E.: A
new 100-m Digital Elevation Model of the Antarctic Peninsula derived from
ASTER Global DEM: methods and accuracy assessment, Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 4,
129–142, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-4-129-2012, 2012.
Cook, A. J., Vaughan, D. G., Luckman, A., and Murray, T.: A new Antarctic
Peninsula glacier basin inventory and observed area changes since the 1940s,
Antarct. Sci., 26, 614–624, 2014.
De Rydt, J., Gudmundsson, G. H., Rott, H., and Bamber, J. L.: Modelling the
instantaneous response of glaciers after the collapse of the Larsen B Ice
Shelf, Geophys. Res. Lett., 42, 5355–5363, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL064355, 2015.
De Angelis, H. and Skvarca, P.: Glacier surge after ice shelf collapse,
Science, 299, 1560–1562, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1077987, 2003.
Farinotti, D., Corr, H. F. J., and Gudmundsson, G. H.: The ice thickness
distribution of Flask Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula, determined by combining
radio-echo soundings, surface velocity data and flow modelling, Ann.
Glaciol., 54, 18–24, https://doi.org/10.3189/2013AoG63A603, 2013.
Farinotti, D., King, E. C., Albrecht, A., Huss, M., and Gudmundsson, G. H.:
The bedrock topography of Starbuck Glacier, Antarctic Peninsula, as measured
by ground based radio-echo soundings, Ann. Glaciol., 55, 22–28, 2014.
Glasser, N. F. and Scambos, T. A.: A structural glaciological analysis of the
2002 Larsen B ice-shelf collapse, J. Glaciol., 54, 3–16, 2008.
Hulbe, C. L., Scambos, T. A., Youngberg, T., and Lamb, A. K.: Patterns of
glacier response to disintegration of the Larsen B ice shelf, Antarctic
Peninsula, Global Planet. Change, 63, 1–8, 2008.
Khazendar, A., Borstad, C. P., Scheuchl, B., Rignot, E., and Seroussi, H.:
The evolving instability of the remnant Larsen B Ice Shelf and its tributary
glaciers, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett., 419, 199–210, 2015.
Krieger, G., Zink, M., Bachmann, M., Bräutigam, B., Schulze, D., Martone,
M., Rizzoli, P., Steinbrecher, U., Anthony, J. W., De Zan, F., Hajnsek, I.,
Papathanassiou, K., Kugler, F., Rodriguez Cassola, M., Younis, M.,
Baumgartner, S., Lopez Dekker, P., Prats, P., and Moreira, A.: TanDEM-X: a
radar interferometer with two formation flying satellites, Acta Astronaut.,
89, 83–98, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2013.03.008, 2013.
Lachaise, M. and Fritz, T.: Phase unwrapping strategy and assessment for the
high resolution DEMs of the TanDEM-X mission, in: Proc. of IEEE Geoscience
and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), Beijing, China, 10–15 July 2016,
3223–3226, 2016.
Leeson, A. A., Van Wessem, J. M., Ligtenberg, S. R. M., Shepherd, A., Van den
Broeke, M. R., Killick, R., Skvarca, P., Marinsek, S., and Colwell, S.:
Regional climate of the Larsen B embayment 1980–2014, J. Glaciol., 63,
683–690, https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2017.39, 2017.
Leuschen, C., Gogineni, P., Rodriguez-Morales, F., Paden, J., and Allen, C.:
IceBridge MCoRDS L2 Ice Thickness, Boulder, Colorado USA. NASA National Snow
and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center,
https://doi.org/10.5067/GDQ0CUCVTE2Q, 2010 (updated 2016).
Nagler, T., Rott, H., Hetzenecker, M., Wuite, J., and Potin, P.: The
Sentinel-1 Mission: New opportunities for ice sheet observations, Remote
Sens., 7, 9371–9389, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70709371, 2015.
Oliva, M., Navarro, F., Hrbáček, F., Hernández, A., Nývlt,
D., Pereira, P., Ruiz-Fernández, J., and Trigo, R.: Recent regional
climate cooling on the Antarctic Peninsula and associated impacts on the
cryosphere, Sci. Total Environ., 580, 210–223,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.030, 2017.
Paterson, W. S. B.: The physics of glaciers, 3rd edn., Oxford, Elsevier,
1994.
Pfeffer, W. T.: A simple mechanism for irreversible tidewater glacier
retreat, J. Geophys. Res.-Earth, 112, F03S25, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JF000590, 2007.
Rack, W. and Rott, H.: Pattern of retreat and disintegration of Larsen B Ice
Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, Ann. Glaciol., 39, 505–510, 2004.
Rack W., Rott, H., Skvarca, P., and Siegel, A.: The motion field of northern
Larsen Ice Shelf derived from satellite imagery, Ann. Glaciol., 29, 261–266,
1999.
Rignot, E., Casassa, G., Gogineni, P., Rivera, A., and Thomas, R.:
Accelerated ice discharges from the Antarctic Peninsula following the
collapse of the Larsen B Ice Shelf, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L18401,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL020697, 2004.
Rizzoli, P., Bräutigam, B., Kraus, T., Martone, M., and Krieger, G.:
Relative height error analysis of TanDEM-X elevation data, ISPRS J.
Photogramm., 73, 30–38, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2012.06.004, 2012.
Rizzoli, P., Martone, M., Rott, H., and Moreira, A.: Characterization of snow
facies on the Greenland Ice Sheet observed by TanDEM-X interferometric SAR
data, Remote Sens., 9, 315, https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9040315, 2017.
Rossi, C., Rodriguez Gonzalez, F., Fritz, T., Yague-Martinez, N., and
Eineder, M.: TanDEM-X calibrated Raw DEM generation, ISPRS J. Photogramm.,
73, 12–20, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2012.05.014, 2012.
Rott, H.: Advances in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) in
earth system science, Prog. Phys. Geog., 33, 769–791,
https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133309350263, 2009.
Rott, H., Skvarca, P., and Nagler, T: Rapid collapse of Northern Larsen Ice
Shelf, Antarctica, Science, 271, 788–792, 1996.
Rott H., Rack, W., Nagler, T., and Skvarca, P.: Climatically induced retreat
and collapse of Northern Larsen Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, Ann.
Glaciol., 27, 86–92, 1998.
Rott, H., Rack, W., Skvarca, P., and De Angelis, H.: Northern Larsen Ice
Shelf, Antarctica: Further retreat after collapse, Ann. Glaciol., 34,
277–282, 2002.
Rott, H., Müller, F., Nagler, T., and Floricioiu, D.: The imbalance of
glaciers after disintegration of Larsen-B ice shelf, Antarctic Peninsula, The
Cryosphere, 5, 125–134, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-125-2011, 2011.
Rott, H., Floricioiu, D., Wuite, J., Scheiblauer, S., Nagler, T., and Kern,
M.: Mass changes of outlet glaciers along the Nordensjköld Coast,
northern Antarctic Peninsula, based on TanDEM-X satellite measurements,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 41, 8123–8129, https://doi.org/10.1002/2014GL061613, 2014.
Rott, H., Abdel Jaber, W., Wuite, J., Scheiblauer. S., Floricioiu, D., and
Nagler, T.: Digital data on coastlines, surface velocities and surface
elevation change of Larsen A abd B glaciers, 2011 to 2016, issued by ENVEO
IT, available at: http://cryoportal.enveo.at/data/samba/, last access: 5 April, 2018.
Royston, S. and Gudmundsson, G. H.: Changes in ice-shelf buttressing
following the collapse of Larsen A Ice Shelf, Antarctica, and the resulting
impact on tributaries, J. Glaciol., 62, 905–911, 2016.
Scambos, T. A., Bohlander, J. A., Shuman, C. A., and Skvarca, P.: Glacier
acceleration and thinning after ice shelf collapse in the Larsen B embayment,
Antarctica, Geophys. Res. Lett., 31, L18402, https://doi.org/10.1029/2004GL020670, 2004.
Scambos, T. A., Berthier, E., and Shuman, C. A.: The triggering of subglacial
lake drainage during rapid glacier drawdown: Crane Glacier, Antarctic
Peninsula, Ann. Glaciol., 52, 74–82, 2011.
Scambos, T. A., Berthier, E., Haran, T., Shuman, C. A., Cook, A. J.,
Ligtenberg, S. R. M., and Bohlander, J.: Detailed ice loss pattern in the
northern Antarctic Peninsula: widespread decline driven by ice front
retreats, The Cryosphere, 8, 2135–2145,
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2135-2014, 2014.
Schwerdt, M., Bräutigam, B., Bachmann, M., Döring, B., Schrank, D.,
and Gonzalez, J. H.: Final TerraSAR-X calibration results based on novel
efficient methods, IEEE T. Geosci. Remote, 48, 677–689, 2010.
Seehaus, T., Marinsek, S., Helm, V., Skvarca, P., and Braun, M.: Changes in
ice dynamics, elevation and mass discharge of Dinsmoor–Bombardier–Edgeworth
glacier system, Antarctic Peninsula, Earth Planet. Sc. Lett. 427, 125–135,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2015.06.047, 2015.
Seehaus, T. C., Marinsek, S., Skvarca, P., van Wessem, J. M., Reijmer, C. H.,
Seco, J. L., and Braun, M. H.: Dynamic response of Sjögren Inlet glaciers
to ice shelf breakup – a remote sensing data analysis, Front. Earth Sci., 4,
66, https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2016.00066, 2016.
Shuman, C. A., Berthier, E., and Scambos, T. A.: 2001–2009 elevation and
mass losses in the Larsen A and B embayments, Antarctic Peninsula, J.
Glaciol., 57, 737–754, 2011.
Studinger, M. S: IceBridge ATM L4 Surface Elevation Rate of Change, Version
1, Subset M699, S10, NASA Distributed Active Archive Center, National Snow
and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado USA, https://doi.org/10.5067/BCW6CI3TXOCY (last
access: 25 July 2017), 2014 (updated 2017).
Todd, J. and Christoffersen, P.: Are seasonal calving dynamics forced by
buttressing from ice mélange or undercutting by melting? Outcomes from
full-Stokes simulations of Store Glacier, West Greenland, The Cryosphere, 8,
2353–2365, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-8-2353-2014, 2014.
Torres, R., Snoeij, P., Geudtner, D., Bibby, D., Davidson, M., Attema, E.,
Potin, P., Rommen, B., Floury, N., Brown, M., Navas Travera, I., Deghaye, P.,
Duesmann, B., Rosich, B., Miranda, N., Bruno, C., L'Abbate, M., Croci, R.,
Pietropaolo, A., Huchler, M., and Rostan, F.: GMES Sentinel-1 mission, Remote
Sens. Environ., 120, 9–24, 2012.
Turner, J., Lu, H., White, I., King, J. C., Phillips, T., Hosking, J. S.,
Bracegirdle, T. J., Marshall, G. J., Mulvaney, R., and Deb, P.: Absence of
21st century warming on Antarctic Peninsula consistent with natural
variability, Nature, 535, 411–415, https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18645, 2016.
van Wessem, J. M., Ligtenberg, S. R. M., Reijmer, C. H., van de Berg, W. J.,
van den Broeke, M. R., Barrand, N. E., Thomas, E. R., Turner, J., Wuite, J.,
Scambos, T. A., and van Meijgaard, E.: The modelled surface mass balance of
the Antarctic Peninsula at 5.5 km horizontal resolution, The Cryosphere, 10,
271–285, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-10-271-2016, 2016.
van Wessem, J. M., van de Berg, W. J., Noël, B. P. Y., van Meijgaard, E.,
Birnbaum, G., Jakobs, C. L., Krüger, K., Lenaerts, J. T. M., Lhermitte,
S., Ligtenberg, S. R. M., Medley, B., Reijmer, C. H., van Tricht, K., Trusel,
L. D., van Ulft, L. H., Wouters, B., Wuite, J., and van den Broeke, M. R.:
Modelling the climate and surface mass balance of polar ice sheets using
RACMO2, part 2: Antarctica (1979–2016), The Cryosphere Discuss.,
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-202, in review, 2017.
Walter Antony, J. M., Schmidt, K., Schwerdt, M., Polimeni, D., Tous Ramon,
N., Bachmann M., and Gabriel Castellanos, A.: Radiometric accuracy and
stability of TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, Proceedings of the European Conference
on Synthetic Aperture Radar (EUSAR), Hamburg, Germany, 6–9 June 2016, 1095–1098, 2016.
Walter, J. I., Jason, E., Tulaczyk, S., Brodsky, E. E., Howat, I. M., Yushin,
A. H. N., and Brown, A.: Oceanic mechanical forcing of a marine-terminating
Greenland glacier, Ann. Glaciol., 53, 181–192, 2012.
Wuite, J., Rott, H., Hetzenecker, M., Floricioiu, D., De Rydt, J.,
Gudmundsson, G. H., Nagler, T., and Kern, M.: Evolution of surface velocities
and ice discharge of Larsen B outlet glaciers from 1995 to 2013, The
Cryosphere, 9, 957–969, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-957-2015, 2015.
Short summary
We analysed volume change, mass balance and ice flow of glaciers draining into the Larsen A and Larsen B embayments on the Antarctic Peninsula for 2011 to 2013 and 2013 to 2016. The mass balance is based on elevation change measured by the radar satellite mission TanDEM-X and on the mass budget method. The glaciers show continuing losses in ice mass, which is a response to ice shelf break-up. After 2013 the downwasting of glaciers slowed down, coinciding with years of persistent sea ice cover.
We analysed volume change, mass balance and ice flow of glaciers draining into the Larsen A and...
