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Rapid increases in satellite-observed ice sheet surface meltwater production

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Zheng

    (Sun Yat-sen University and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)
    Ministry of Education)

  • Xinyi Shang

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Michiel R. Broeke

    (Utrecht University)

  • Brice Noël

    (University of Liège)

  • Xichen Li

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xavier Fettweis

    (University of Liège)

  • Qi Liang

    (Sun Yat-sen University and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)
    Ministry of Education)

  • Kang Wang

    (East China Normal University)

  • Jiping Liu

    (Sun Yat-sen University and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai))

  • Xiao Cheng

    (Sun Yat-sen University and Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)
    Ministry of Education)

Abstract

Surface meltwater production influences the contribution of ice sheets to global sea-level change. Ice-sheet-wide meltwater production has thus far primarily been quantified by regional climate models. Here we present a 31-year (1992–2023) time series of daily satellite-observed surface melt flux for the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. The annual meltwater volume in Greenland has significantly increased, with intensified melt in the northern basins dominated by a negative North Atlantic Oscillation and elevated melt flux in western basins driven by the decline in Arctic sea-ice. In East Antarctica, high melt rates since 2000 are attributed to warm air incursions from the Southern Ocean due to anomalous atmospheric circulations associated with a negative Southern Annular Mode and the recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole. This region, previously less prone to surface melt, has become a melt hotspot, potentially leading to meltwater ponding and future ice shelf destabilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Zheng & Xinyi Shang & Michiel R. Broeke & Brice Noël & Xichen Li & Xavier Fettweis & Qi Liang & Kang Wang & Jiping Liu & Xiao Cheng, 2025. "Rapid increases in satellite-observed ice sheet surface meltwater production," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 15(7), pages 769-774, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:15:y:2025:i:7:d:10.1038_s41558-025-02364-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-025-02364-4
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