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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Bethan DaviesORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Accelerated glacier mass loss across the Antarctic Peninsula has consequences for sea level rise and local ecology. However, there are few direct glaciological observations available from this region. Here, we reveal glacier changes on the James Ross Archipelago between 2010 and 2023. The median rate of glacier area loss (remote-sensing derived) increased over the study period, with the most significant changes observed in smaller glaciers. In situ measurements show that ablation has prevailed since 2019/20 with the most negative point surface mass balance change measured as −1.39 ± 0.12 m water equivalent at Davies Dome and Lookalike Glacier in 2022/23 (200–300 m a.s.l.). We identified a tripling of the frontal velocity of Kotick Glacier in 2015, which, combined with terminus surface elevation gains (bulging), suggests that this is the first surge-type glacier identified in Antarctica from velocity and surface elevation change observations. We contend that the glacier recession rate has increased due to increased air temperatures (0.24 ± 0.08°C yr−1, 2010–23), decreased albedo and glacier elevation change feedbacks. These processes could decrease glacier longevity on the archipelago. Future research should prioritise monitoring albedo and rising equilibrium-line altitudes and identify glaciers most vulnerable to rapid future mass loss.
Author(s): Stringer CD, Macfee MW, Carrivick JL, Láska K, Engel Z, Matejka M, Harpur C, Nyvlt D, Quincey DJ, Davies BJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Journal of Glaciology
Year: 2025
Volume: 71
Online publication date: 13/08/2025
Acceptance date: 22/07/2025
Date deposited: 23/09/2025
ISSN (print): 0022-1430
ISSN (electronic): 1727-5652
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2025.10075
DOI: 10.1017/jog.2025.10075
Data Access Statement: The code to calculate albedo is available here: https://code.earthengine.google.com/80a2062a5a05c33c31406027e01e2e04 Other data from this study are available in the supplementary material, including the glacier outlines produced
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