March 8 (Udaipur Kiran): Scientists have recorded a significant change in Antarctica’s ice sheet, with satellite observations showing that key ice lines have retreated by nearly 42 kilometres over the past three decades.
According to a recent study, researchers analysed nearly 30 years of satellite data to monitor changes in Antarctica’s ice. Their findings indicate that the region has lost around 12,800 square kilometres of ice, an area roughly equal to half the size of Belgium.
The study focused on grounding lines, the points where the ice sheet lifts off the land and begins to float on the ocean surface. Scientists found that these grounding lines have shifted inland by about 42 kilometres, indicating that the ice sheet is weakening.
The research, conducted by scientists from the University of California, has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Researchers examined satellite data covering the period from 1990 to 2025 to track the changes.
Scientists say that warming ocean water plays a major role in this process. A current known as polar deep water flows beneath the ice shelves and melts them from below. As the ice becomes thinner, its grip on the underlying rock weakens, causing the grounding line to move further inland.
However, the study also notes that more than 77 percent of Antarctica’s coastline remains stable. Researchers caution that if grounding lines continue to retreat, it could accelerate ice loss and contribute to a rise in global sea levels.
For the study, scientists relied on data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA). These satellites use radar technology capable of observing the polar regions even through clouds and darkness, allowing year-round monitoring of Antarctica’s ice conditions.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
