The pace of ice loss is changing across the polar regions, with Greenland experiencing faster melt and Antarctica showing a slower trend. This assessment comes from an international team of scientists based in the United States and the Netherlands, and their findings are summarized for the scientific community in Geophysical Research Letters.
Researchers examined how warm, dry air currents interact with the upper surfaces of glaciers. They report that over the last two decades, Greenland’s ice retreat linked to these air flows has risen by more than 10 percent, while the influence of such winds on Antarctica’s ice sheet has diminished by about 32 percent in the same period. The study demonstrates how local weather patterns and regional climate dynamics jointly shape ice stability in these extreme environments. The results are attributed to regional climate model simulations that reveal the role of downdraft winds in accelerating surface melt across both poles. These simulations help explain why some regions experience rapid thinning while others show relative persistence in ice cover. (Citation: Geophysical Research Letters, 2024)
In Greenland, surface ice melt has intensified as the ice sheet reaches higher temperatures and becomes more vulnerable to solar heating. The combination of rising air temperatures and wind-driven processes has increased total surface melt on Greenland by a substantial margin in recent decades. This pattern underscores the sensitivity of Greenland’s ice to shifts in atmospheric forcing and the potential for accelerated loss under warming conditions. (Citation: Geophysical Research Letters, 2024)
Meanwhile, Antarctica presents a contrasting trend. Total surface melt there has declined by roughly 15 percent since around the year 2000. Narrowing of the ozone hole over the South Polar region has contributed to this slowdown by altering atmospheric circulation and temperature patterns. The balance of surface and ocean-driven processes in this region continues to influence ice stability, with the latest models indicating a cooling or stabilization in some coastal and interior sectors even as other areas remain vulnerable. (Citation: Geophysical Research Letters, 2024)
Past studies have highlighted the extent of ice loss across Antarctica over the last quarter century, but ongoing work emphasizes that regional variations persist. The current findings illustrate how regional climate interactions and long-term atmospheric changes together determine ice sheet behavior in both Greenland and Antarctica. The researchers stress that continued monitoring, refined modeling, and cross-disciplinary collaboration are essential to project future trajectories and to understand the broader implications for sea level rise and regional ecosystems. (Citation: Geophysical Research Letters, 2024)