Earth lost over 11 trillion tons of ice in 50 years, study finds

September 18, 2026 at 01:06 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Greenland and Antarctica have lost more than 11 trillion tons of ice over the past half-century, according to an international team of oceanographers and climate scientists. The loss has raised global sea levels by about 3 centimeters since 1974, putting 6–9 million coastal residents at higher risk of flooding and erosion.

Key Facts

Greenland and Antarctica lost more than 11 trillion tons of ice between 1974 and 2025.
Meltwater from the two ice sheets raised global sea levels by about 3 centimeters over 47 years.
The Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland retreats at up to 50 meters per day.
In 2025, glaciers worldwide lost about 400 gigatons of ice, four times the rate at the end of the 20th century.
The study was published in the journal Scientific Data and is based on dozens of satellite images.

Satellite Record

An international team of oceanographers and climate scientists analyzed dozens of satellite images to track ice loss in Greenland and Antarctica. The study, published in Scientific Data, extends the satellite record back to the 1970s. Significant ice loss began in the 1990s and has accelerated every decade since, according to Northumbria University climate scientist Ines Otosaka. Rising air and ocean temperatures are the main drivers of the acceleration.

Mechanisms of Loss

Warm ocean currents melt the ice sheets from below and speed their flow into the sea. The Jakobshavn Glacier in Greenland retreats at up to 50 meters per day. In 2025, glaciers worldwide lost about 400 gigatons of ice, four times the rate at the end of the 20th century. The loss of reflective white ice exposes darker ocean surface, which absorbs more solar heat and further amplifies global warming.

Coastal and Hazard Risks

Meltwater from Greenland and Antarctica has raised global sea levels by about 3 centimeters since 1974. This rise places 6–9 million coastal residents at higher risk of flooding and shoreline erosion. Glacier thinning, permafrost melt, and the shift from snow to rain increase the danger of mudflows, landslides, and floods. The two ice sheets now account for about one-quarter of observed sea-level rise.