Thota VK, Seehaus T, Braun MH (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Book Volume: 53
Article Number: e2026GL122660
Journal Issue: 14
DOI: 10.1029/2026GL122660
Open Access Link: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/V8PKCICRXTDNMMG6FUTR?target=10.1029/2026GL122660
The Antarctic Peninsula has been climate-sensitive since the mid-20th century, but long-term glacier mass balance data are scarce. This study uses historical aerial and high-resolution satellite imagery to estimate mass changes on the western Antarctic Peninsula ((Formula presented.) – (Formula presented.)) from 1989 to 2020. Terminus retreat during 1989–2020 led to a mass loss of (Formula presented.) Mt (Formula presented.). During 1989–2016, a minor geodetic mass gain rate of (Formula presented.) Mt (Formula presented.) is found. Frontal surface lowering in this period is offset by higher-elevation thickening. In contrast, during 2016–2020, a nearly doubling of the frontal thinning and consequently a general surface lowering of (Formula presented.) m (Formula presented.) occurred, corresponding to a geodetic mass loss of (Formula presented.) Mt (Formula presented.). At the same time, the zero-elevation change altitude rose from 500 m to above 600 m. These shifts are coincident with rising atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, suggesting a transition to accelerating mass losses.
APA:
Thota, V.K., Seehaus, T., & Braun, M.H. (2026). Three Decades of Glacial Changes on the Western Antarctic Peninsula Revealed by Historical Aerial and High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. Geophysical Research Letters, 53(14). https://doi.org/10.1029/2026GL122660
MLA:
Thota, Vijaya Kumar, Thorsten Seehaus, and Matthias H. Braun. "Three Decades of Glacial Changes on the Western Antarctic Peninsula Revealed by Historical Aerial and High-Resolution Satellite Imagery." Geophysical Research Letters 53.14 (2026).
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