Articles | Volume 20, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-245-2026
© Author(s) 2026. 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-20-245-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Jan 2026
Research article |
| 15 Jan 2026
| 15 Jan 2026
Ephemeral grounding on the Pine Island Ice Shelf, West Antarctica, from 2014–2023
Yite Chien
Chinese Antarctic Center of Surveying and Mapping, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Environment Monitoring and Public Governance (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430079, China
School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Chunxia Zhou
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Chinese Antarctic Center of Surveying and Mapping, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Environment Monitoring and Public Governance (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430079, China
School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Sainan Sun
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK
Yiming Chen
Chinese Antarctic Center of Surveying and Mapping, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Environment Monitoring and Public Governance (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430079, China
School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Tao Wang
Chinese Antarctic Center of Surveying and Mapping, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Environment Monitoring and Public Governance (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430079, China
School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Baojun Zhang
Chinese Antarctic Center of Surveying and Mapping, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
Key Laboratory of Polar Environment Monitoring and Public Governance (Wuhan University), Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430079, China
School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
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The Northern Pine Island Ice Shelf plays an important role in slowing the flow of Antarctic ice into the ocean, but its changes have been poorly understood. Using satellite observations and environmental data collected over several decades, we found that this ice shelf has thinned, retreated, and lost contact with the seabed. These changes suggest the ice shelf is becoming less stable and more sensitive to ocean and weather conditions, with potential consequences for future sea-level rise.
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The Northern Pine Island Ice Shelf plays an important role in slowing the flow of Antarctic ice into the ocean, but its changes have been poorly understood. Using satellite observations and environmental data collected over several decades, we found that this ice shelf has thinned, retreated, and lost contact with the seabed. These changes suggest the ice shelf is becoming less stable and more sensitive to ocean and weather conditions, with potential consequences for future sea-level rise.
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Short summary
Our research examines how temporary contact between floating ice shelves and the seafloor affects ice flow and stability. Analyzing satellite data from 2014 to 2023, we found that tidal forces, ice thickness, and underwater terrain influence grounding events at Pine Island Ice Shelf. These events may have triggered rifts that led to the 2020 iceberg breakoff. Our study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring to better predict future changes in Antarctica’s vulnerable ice regions.
Our research examines how temporary contact between floating ice shelves and the seafloor...
