In a surprising development, certain glaciers in East Antarctic have exhibited a net gain in ice mass between 2021 and 2023, marking a rare deviation from the long-standing trend of ice loss across the continent. Data from NASA’s GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions indicate that Antarctica experienced an average annual ice gain of approximately 107.79 gigatons during this period.
This positive change is particularly notable in four glacier basins: Totten, Moscow, Denman, and Vincennes Bay. These regions, previously identified as among the most unstable in Antarctica, had been losing mass due to reduced surface accumulation and accelerated ice discharge. The recent gains are attributed primarily to increased snowfall, which has temporarily offset the losses.
Historically, from 2002 to 2010, Antarctica lost ice at a rate of 73.79 gigatons per year, a figure that escalated to 142.06 gigatons annually between 2011 and 2020. The majority of this loss originated from West Antarctica and the Wilkes Land–Queen Mary Land region in East Antarctica.
The recent ice gain has had a measurable impact on global sea levels. While the Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed approximately 0.39 mm per year to sea-level rise from 2011 to 2020, the mass gain between 2021 and 2023 helped offset sea-level rise by about 0.30 mm annually.
However, scientists caution that this recovery may be temporary. The glaciers in question are grounded below sea level, making them susceptible to oceanic influences. Changes in wind patterns and sea ice have increased the delivery of warmer ocean waters to these glaciers, potentially accelerating future melt.
Moreover, studies have shown that other glaciers in East Antarctica, such as those in Vincennes Bay and along the Wilkes Land coast, have experienced surface height reductions since 2008, indicating ongoing changes in the region.
While the recent findings offer a glimmer of hope, experts emphasize the need for continued monitoring and research to understand the long-term implications for global sea levels and climate change.
