The foundations of the Patagonian icefields

Fürst J, Farías Barahona D, Blindow N, Casassa G, Gacitúa G, Koppes M, Lodolo E, Millan R, Minowa M, Mouginot J, Pȩtlicki M, Rignot E, Rivera A, Skvarca P, Stuefer M, Sugiyama S, Uribe J, Zamora R, Braun M, Gillet-Chaulet F, Malz P, Meier W, Schaefer M (2024)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Book Volume: 5

Article Number: 142

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-01193-7

Abstract

The two vast Patagonian icefields are a global hotspot for ice-loss. However, not much is known about the total ice volume they store - let alone its spatial distribution. One reason is that the abundant record of direct thickness measurements has never been systematically exploited. Here, this record is combined with remotely-sensed information on past ice thickness mapped from glacier retreat. Both datasets are incorporated in a state-of-the-art, mass-conservation approach to produce a well-informed map of the basal topography beneath the icefields. Its major asset is the reliability increase of thicknesses values along the many marine- and lake-terminating glaciers. For these, frontal ice-discharge is notably lower than previously reported. This finding implies that direct climatic control was more influential for past ice loss. We redact a total volume for both icefields in 2000 of 5351 km³. Despite the wealth of observations used in this assessment, relative volume uncertainties remain elevated.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

University of British Columbia Canada (CA) National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) Italy (IT) Center for Scientific Studies / Centro de Estudios Científicos Chile (CL) University of Alaska Fairbanks United States (USA) (US) Hokkaido University (Hokudai) / 北海道大学 Japan (JP) Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) / Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut Denmark (DK) Universidad de Chile Chile (CL) Glaciarium, Centro de Interpretación de Glaciares Argentina (AR) Universidad Austral de Chile Chile (CL) University of Magallanes / Universidad de Magallanes (UMAG) Chile (CL) University of California Irvine United States (USA) (US) University of Grenoble Alpes (UGA) / Université de Grenoble France (FR) University of Copenhagen Denmark (DK)

How to cite

APA:

Fürst, J., Farías Barahona, D., Blindow, N., Casassa, G., Gacitúa, G., Koppes, M.,... Schaefer, M. (2024). The foundations of the Patagonian icefields. Communications Earth & Environment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01193-7

MLA:

Fürst, Johannes, et al. "The foundations of the Patagonian icefields." Communications Earth & Environment 5.1 (2024).

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