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Recent Greenland Ice Mass Loss by Drainage System from Satellite Gravity Observations
Title | Recent Greenland Ice Mass Loss by Drainage System from Satellite Gravity Observations |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2006 |
Authors | Luthcke, S. B., H. J. Zwally, W. Abdalati, D. D. Rowlands, R. D. Ray, R. S. Nerem, F. G. Lemoine, J. J. McCarthy, and D. S. Chinn |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 314 |
Issue | 5803 |
Pagination | 1286-1289 |
Date Published | NOV 24 2006 |
ISBN Number | 0036-8075 |
Keywords | BALANCE, EARTH, GRACE, SHEET, surface, variability |
Abstract | Mass changes of the Greenland Ice Sheet resolved by drainage system regions were derived from a local mass concentration analysis of NASA - Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment ( GRACE mission) observations. From 2003 to 2005, the ice sheet lost 101 +/- 16 gigaton/year, with a gain of 54 gigaton/year above 2000 meters and a loss of 155 gigaton/year at lower elevations. The lower elevations show a large seasonal cycle, with mass losses during summer melting followed by gains from fall through spring. The overall rate of loss reflects a considerable change in trend ( - 113 +/- 17 gigaton/ year) from a near balance during the 1990s but is smaller than some other recent estimates. |
DOI | DOI 10.1126/science.1130776 |
Reference number | 41 |
Short Title | Recent Greenland Ice Mass Loss by Drainage System from Satellite Gravity Observations |
Citation Key | 41 |