In a surprising climate twist, Antarctica’s ice sheet has seen a dramatic increase in mass, defying trends of rapid melting observed over previous decades.
Researchers from Tongji University, using satellite gravimetry data, found that between 2021 and 2023, the Antarctic ice mass expanded by a staggering 108 billion tons annually.
This comes after a prolonged period of ice loss, where Antarctica shed 142 gigatons annually from 2011 to 2020. Scientists credit this unexpected reversal largely to unusually high snowfall, though further research is required to determine whether this trend will continue.
NASA’s GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite missions played a crucial role in identifying this shift. Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice has reached a record low, contrasting sharply with Antarctica’s ice gain.
Experts emphasise that while this temporary growth is notable, it does not necessarily contradict broader climate change concerns. Understanding Antarctica’s ice dynamics will be essential in future climate modelling and predictions.
