Constraining glacier elevation and mass changes in South America

Braun M, Malz P, Sommer C, Farías Barahona D, Sauter T, Casassa G, Soruco A, Skvarca P, Seehaus T (2019)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Letter

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Nature Climate Change Nature Research

Book Volume: 9

Pages Range: 130–136

Journal Issue: 2

URI: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0375-7?WT.feed_name=subjects_climate-sciences

DOI: 10.1038/s41558-018-0375-7

Abstract

Excluding the large ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica, glaciers in South America are large contributors to sea-level rise1. Their rates of mass loss, however, are poorly known. Here, using repeat bi-static synthetic aperture radar interferometry over the years 2000 to 2011/2015, we compute continent-wide, glacier-specific elevation and mass changes for 85% of the glacierized area of South America. Mass loss rate is calculated to be 19.43 ± 0.60 Gt a−1 from elevation changes above ground, sea or lake level, with an additional 3.06 ± 1.24 Gt a−1 from subaqueous ice mass loss not contributing to sea-level rise. The largest contributions come from the Patagonian icefields, where 83% mass loss occurs, largely from dynamic adjustments of large glaciers. These changes contribute 0.054 ± 0.002 mm a−1 to sea-level rise. In comparison with previous studies2, tropical and out-tropical glaciers — as well as those in Tierra del Fuego — show considerably less ice loss. These results provide basic information to calibrate and validate glacier-climate models and also for decision-makers in water resource management3.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias Braun Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS) Philipp Malz Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS) Christian Sommer Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS) David Farías Barahona Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS) Tobias Sauter Professur für Geographie Thorsten Seehaus Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS)

Additional Organisation(s)

Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS)

Related research project(s)

A stochastic estimate of sea level contribution from glaciers and ice caps using satellite remote sensing (SATELLITE) DFG Schwerpunktprogramm "Regional Sea Level Change & Society" Jan. 1, 2017 - Feb. 29, 2020 Remote sensing of mountain glaciers: Derivation of essential climate variables for international initiatives in the area of cryosphereand water resourcesa. Method development and refinements with example applications to the tropical Andes (GEKKO) July 1, 2016 - Oct. 31, 2019 A stochastic estimate of sea level contribution from glaciers and ice caps using satellite remote sensing (SATELLITE) SPP 1889: Regional Sea Level Change and Society (SeaLevel) Jan. 1, 2017 - July 31, 2019 Entschlüsselung des Einflusses von Klimavariabilität Kryosphäre, Hydrosphäre und Biosphäre in den südlichen Anden (GABY-VASA KLIGAND) Aug. 1, 2015 - July 31, 2018 Remote Sensing and Earth System Dynamics (HGF-EDA) Fernerkundung und Dynamik des Erdsystems July 1, 2012 - Dec. 31, 2017

Involved external institutions

Glaciarium, Centro de Interpretación de Glaciares AR Argentina (AR) University of Magallanes / Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG) CL Chile (CL) UMSA Universidad Mayor de San Andrés BO Bolivia, Plurinational State of (BO)

How to cite

APA:

Braun, M., Malz, P., Sommer, C., Farías Barahona, D., Sauter, T., Casassa, G.,... Seehaus, T. (2019). Constraining glacier elevation and mass changes in South America. Nature Climate Change, 9(2), 130–136. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0375-7

MLA:

Braun, Matthias, et al. "Constraining glacier elevation and mass changes in South America." Nature Climate Change 9.2 (2019): 130–136.

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