New Study Finds Polar Ice Loss Raised Seas About One Inch Since 1979
A study published Wednesday in Scientific Data found Greenland and Antarctica lost about 12.5 trillion tons of ice from 1979 to 2023, raising global sea levels by roughly one inch.[1]
Researchers say that melt produced nearly 3 quadrillion gallons of water.[1] About five-sixths of the ice loss came from warmer ocean water that sped glaciers into the sea, and melt rates accelerated markedly during the 2010s.[1]
The team combined 45 independent surveys and data from 27 satellites to extend Antarctic ice-sheet volume records back to 1979 and Greenland records to 1972.[1] Lead author Ines Otosaka estimates each centimeter of sea-level rise causes 2-3 million more people worldwide to be flooded at least once a year.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- The study, published Wednesday in Scientific Data, estimates Greenland and Antarctica together lost about 12.5 trillion tons of ice from 1979 to 2023.
- Researchers say this melt produced nearly 3 quadrillion gallons of water, raising global sea levels by about 1 inch (3.1 centimeters).
- Scientists found five-sixths of the loss stems from warmer ocean water driving glacier flow into the sea, with melt rates accelerating markedly during the 2010s.
- The analysis relies on 45 independent surveys and 27 satellites, extending Antarctic ice-sheet volume records back to 1979 and Greenland records to 1972.
- Lead author Ines Otosaka estimates that each centimeter of sea-level rise leads to 2–3 million more people worldwide being flooded at least once a year.
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