The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion

Abstract Crustal motion generated by rapid ice‐mass loss from Earth's glaciers and ice sheets has previously been considered in Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) analyses and numerical models across regions of ice retreat. However, the fingerprint of ice‐mass loss is not limited to gl...

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Main Authors: Sophie Coulson, Mila Lubeck, Jerry X. Mitrovica, Evelyn Powell, James L. Davis, Mark J. Hoggard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-08-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095477
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author Sophie Coulson
Mila Lubeck
Jerry X. Mitrovica
Evelyn Powell
James L. Davis
Mark J. Hoggard
author_facet Sophie Coulson
Mila Lubeck
Jerry X. Mitrovica
Evelyn Powell
James L. Davis
Mark J. Hoggard
author_sort Sophie Coulson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Crustal motion generated by rapid ice‐mass loss from Earth's glaciers and ice sheets has previously been considered in Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) analyses and numerical models across regions of ice retreat. However, the fingerprint of ice‐mass loss is not limited to glaciated areas, but is characterized by a global pattern of 3‐D crustal deformation. We compute “far‐field” vertical and horizontal deformation rates that occurred in response to early 21st century mass flux from the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets, global glaciers and ice caps, and associated ocean loading. We demonstrate that mass changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet and high latitude glacier systems each generated average crustal motion of 0.1–0.4 mm/yr across much of the Northern Hemisphere, with significant year‐to‐year variability in magnitude and direction. Horizontal motions associated with ice‐mass loss exceed vertical rates in many far‐field areas, and both should be considered in future analysis of GNSS measurements.
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issn 0094-8276
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series Geophysical Research Letters
spelling doaj-art-db3f8ba3e4bb4a22b975191b6752b1cf2025-08-20T02:18:54ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072021-08-014816n/an/a10.1029/2021GL095477The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal MotionSophie Coulson0Mila Lubeck1Jerry X. Mitrovica2Evelyn Powell3James L. Davis4Mark J. Hoggard5Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA USADepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA USADepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA USADepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA USALamont‐Doherty Earth Observatory Columbia University Palisades NY USADepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Harvard University Cambridge MA USAAbstract Crustal motion generated by rapid ice‐mass loss from Earth's glaciers and ice sheets has previously been considered in Global Navigational Satellite System (GNSS) analyses and numerical models across regions of ice retreat. However, the fingerprint of ice‐mass loss is not limited to glaciated areas, but is characterized by a global pattern of 3‐D crustal deformation. We compute “far‐field” vertical and horizontal deformation rates that occurred in response to early 21st century mass flux from the Greenland and Antarctic Ice Sheets, global glaciers and ice caps, and associated ocean loading. We demonstrate that mass changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet and high latitude glacier systems each generated average crustal motion of 0.1–0.4 mm/yr across much of the Northern Hemisphere, with significant year‐to‐year variability in magnitude and direction. Horizontal motions associated with ice‐mass loss exceed vertical rates in many far‐field areas, and both should be considered in future analysis of GNSS measurements.https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095477
spellingShingle Sophie Coulson
Mila Lubeck
Jerry X. Mitrovica
Evelyn Powell
James L. Davis
Mark J. Hoggard
The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
Geophysical Research Letters
title The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
title_full The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
title_fullStr The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
title_full_unstemmed The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
title_short The Global Fingerprint of Modern Ice‐Mass Loss on 3‐D Crustal Motion
title_sort global fingerprint of modern ice mass loss on 3 d crustal motion
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL095477
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