Antarctic outlet glacier mass change resolved at basin scale from satellite gravity gradiometry

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • J. Bouman - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • M. Fuchs - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • E. Ivins - , Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (Author)
  • W. van der Wal - , Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • E. Schrama - , Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • P. Visser - , Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • Martin Horwath - , Chair of Geodetic Earth System Research (Author)

Abstract

The orbit and instrumental measurement of the Gravity Field and Steady State Ocean Circulation Explorer (GOCE) satellite mission offer the highest ever resolution capabilities for mapping Earth's gravity field from space. However, past analysis predicted that GOCE would not detect changes in ice sheet mass. Here we demonstrate that GOCE gravity gradiometry observations can be combined with Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity data to estimate mass changes in the Amundsen Sea Sector. This refined resolution allows land ice changes within the Pine Island Glacier (PIG), Thwaites Glacier, and Getz Ice Shelf drainage systems to be measured at respectively −67 ± 7, −63 ± 12, and −55 ± 9 Gt/yr over the GOCE observing period of November 2009 to June 2012. This is the most accurate pure satellite gravimetry measurement to date of current mass loss from PIG, known as the “weak underbelly” of West Antarctica because of its retrograde bed slope and high potential for raising future sea level.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5919-5926
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume41
Issue number16
Publication statusPublished - 11 Aug 2014
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84906006573
ORCID /0000-0001-5797-244X/work/142246499

Keywords

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • satellite gravity, Antarctica, mass change