A recent investigation has highlighted the concerning decrease in glacier sizes over the last four decades in a region significantly affected by global warming, with the most notable reductions occurring in the last few years.
A recent investigation has highlighted the concerning decrease in glacier sizes over the past 40 years in a region significantly affected by global warming, with the most notable reductions occurring recently.
Conducted by the University of Bristol and published in Nature Communications, the research indicates that an overwhelming majority (91%) of glaciers in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard have noticeably diminished. The study found that these glaciers have lost over 800 km2 of area at their edges since 1985.
Furthermore, the study discovered that over half of these glaciers (62%) experience seasonal variations in calving – the process where large sections of ice break off as a result of elevated ocean and air temperatures.
Dr. Tian Li, the lead author and Senior Research Associate at the Glaciology Centre, remarked, “The extent of glacier retreats over the last few decades is remarkable, nearly affecting all of Svalbard. This underscores the sensitivity of glaciers to climate change, particularly in Svalbard, which is warming at a rate that is up to seven times faster than the global average.”
The research team utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) to efficiently assess glacier patterns over extensive areas. They employed an innovative AI model to examine millions of satellite images that documented the endpoints of glaciers throughout Svalbard.
This study offers an unparalleled level of detail regarding the scope and characteristics of glacier loss in the area. A significant increase in glacier retreats was observed in 2016, with calving rates doubling compared to the average figures recorded between 2010 and 2015, attributed to extreme warming events.
“This surge was probably a result of a large-scale weather phenomenon known as atmospheric blocking, which can alter atmospheric pressure dynamics,” explained Dr. Li.
“As atmospheric blocking events become more frequent alongside persistent regional warming, we anticipate an acceleration in glacier retreats, leading to greater mass loss. This loss has implications for ocean circulation and marine ecosystems in the Arctic.”
Svalbard is recognized as one of the most rapidly warming regions on the planet. The low elevation of its ice fields and its location in the high North Atlantic make the archipelago particularly susceptible to climate change.
Co-author Jonathan Bamber, a Professor of Glaciology at the University of Bristol, stated, “Glacier calving is a process that is not yet fully understood and remains poorly modeled, yet it is critical for the health of glaciers. Our research sheds light on the factors that influence calving and how it responds to climate change in a region that is at the forefront of global warming.”
