Using satellite imagery to assess the glacier retreat in King George Island, Antarctica
Submitted: 2024-08-29
|Accepted: 2024-12-03
|Published: 2025-01-15
Copyright (c) 2024 Ibeth Rojas-Macedo, Cinthya Bello, Wilson Suarez, Edwin Loarte, Fiorella Vega-Jacome, Maria G. Bustamante Rosell, Pedro M. Tapia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Downloads
Keywords:
Remote sensing, King George Island, Glacier retreat, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, Antarctica
Supporting agencies:
The present work was financed with the support of the National Fund for Scientific, Technological and Technological Innovation Development of Peru (FONDECYT) 8682-PE with funds from the World Bank and the support of the National Institute of Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystem of Peru (INAIGEM) [Contract No. 003-2018-FONDECYT-BM-IADT-AV], the Office of Antarctic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru (MRE), the National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru (SENAMHI) and the post-Graduate School in Water Resources of the National Agrarian University La Molina (UNALM). CB was supported by Universidad Científica del Sur (RESOLUCIÓN DIRECTORAL No.008-DGIDI-CIENTIFICA-2024).
National Fund for Scientific, Technological and Technological Innovation Development of Peru (FONDECYT)
World Bank
National Institute of Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystem of Peru (INAIGEM)
Office of Antarctic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru (MRE)
National Service of Meteorology and Hydrology of Peru (SENAMHI)
National Agrarian University La Molina (UNALM)
Universidad Científica del Sur
Abstract:
In recent decades, remote sensing has become a powerful tool for continuously monitoring glacier dynamics in remote areas, enabling the identification of significant spatiotemporal changes due to its capacity to provide multitemporal information at regional and global scales. In this study, Landsat satellite images (1989–2020) were used to quantify glacier retreat in the ice cap of King George Island (KGI), located in the Antarctic Peninsula, and to evaluate the teleconnections of El Niño – Southern Oscillation - ENSO (ONI and SOI indices) with climatic
variables (temperature and precipitation) in this region. Our findings reveal a 10% loss in glacier coverage over the last 31 years, with a slower glacier retreat observed since 2008. Glaciers with smaller areas and marine terminating were the most affected. Of the 73 glaciers on KGI, 42% had continental terminating, 21% had marine terminating, and 37% had mixed terminating (continental and marine). Of the total glacier area lost, 35% corresponds to glaciers with marine terminating, while 16% corresponds to glaciers with continental terminating. Furthermore, climatic variables exhibited heterogeneous responses during ENSO events, with a significant correlation between mean temperature and ONI at the annual level and during the austral spring, which may be influencing glacier retreat in the study area to some extent.
References:
Ali, A., Dunlop, P., Coleman, S., Kerr, D., Mcnabb, R.W., & Noormets, R. (2023). Glacier area changes in the Arctic and high latitudes using satellite remote sensing. Journal of Maps, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2023.2247416
Baumhoer, C.A., Dietz, A.J., Dech, S., & Kuenzer, C. (2018). Remote Sensing of Antarctic Glacier and Ice-Shelf Front Dynamics — A Review. 1–28. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10091445
Bello, C., Suarez, W., & Lavado‐Casimiro, W. (2022). Trends and space-time patterns of near‐surface temperatures on Maxwell Bay, King George Island, Antarctica. International Journal of Climatology, 42(14), 7426-7442. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.7661
Berthier, E., Floriciou, D., Gardner, A.S., Gourmelen, N., Jakob, L., Paul, F., Treichler, D., Wouters, B., Belart, J.M. C., Dehecq, A., Dussailant, I., Hugonnet, R., Kääb, A., Krieger, L., Pálsson, F., & Zemp, M. (2023). Measuring glacier mass changes from space - a review. Reports on Progress in Physics, 86. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6633/acaf8e
Bolch, T., Menounos, B., & Wheate, R. (2010). Remote Sensing of Environment Landsat-based inventory of glaciers in western Canada , 1985 – 2005. Remote Sensing of Environment, 114(1), 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2009.08.015
Bozkurt, D., Bromwich, D. H., Carrasco, J., & Rondanelli, R. (2021). Temperature and precipitation projections for the Antarctic Peninsula over the next two decades: contrasting global and regional climate model simulations. Climate Dynamics, 56(11-12), 3853-3874. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-021-05667-2
Carrasco, J. F. (2013). Decadal Changes in the Near-Surface Air Temperature in the Western Side of the Antarctic Peninsula. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 03(03), 275-281. https://doi.org/10.4236/acs.2013.33029
Clem, K. R., & Fogt, R. L. (2013). Varying roles of ENSO and SAM on the Antarctic Peninsula climate in austral spring. Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, 118(20), 11,481-11,492. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50860
Clem, K. R., Renwick, J. A., McGregor, J., & Fogt, R. L. (2016). The relative influence of ENSO and SAM on antarctic Peninsula climate. Journal of Geophysical Research, 121(16), 9324-9341. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JD025305
Cogley, J.G. (2009). Geodetic and direct mass-balance measurements : comparison and joint analysis. Annals of Glaciology, 50(50), 96-100. https://doi.org/10.3189/172756409787769744
Cook, A. J., Vaughan, D. G., Luckman, A. J., & Murray, T. (2014). A new Antarctic Peninsula glacier basin inventory and observed area changes since the 1940s. Antarctic Science, 26(6), 614-624. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102014000200
Cook, J. ., Edwards, A., Takeuchi, N., & Irvine-Fynn, T. (2016). Cryoconite: the dark biological secret of the cryosphere. Progress in Physical Geography. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309133315616574
Da Rosa, K. K., Perondi, C., Veettil, B. K., Auger, J. D., & Simões, J. C. (2020). Contrasting responses of land-terminating glaciers to recent climate variations in King George Island, Antarctica. Antarctic Science, 32(5), 398-407. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102020000279
European Space Agency. (2013). Sentinel-1 User Handbook Prepared
Falk, U., López, D. A., & Silva-Busso, A. (2018). Multi-year analysis of distributed glacier mass balance modelling and equilibrium line altitude on King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula. Cryosphere, 12(4), 1211-1232. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-12-1211-2018
Ferron, F. a, Simões, J. C., Aquino, F. E., & Setzer, A. W. (2004). Air temperature time series for King George Island, Antarctica. Pesquisa Antártica Brasileira. https://doi.org/10.31789/pab.v4n1.012
Fieber, K. D., Mills, J. P., Miller, P. E., Clarke, L., Ireland, L., & Fox, A. J. (2018). Remote Sensing of Environment Rigorous 3D change determination in Antarctic Peninsula glaciers from stereo WorldView-2 and archival aerial imagery. Remote Sensing of Environment, 205(February 2017), 18-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.10.042
Fischer, A. (2011). Comparison of direct and geodetic mass balances on a multi-annual time scale. Cryosphere, 5(1), 107-124. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-5-107-2011
Gabarró, C., Hughes, N., Wilkinson, J., Bertino, L., Bracher, A., Diehl, T., Dierking, W., Gonzalezgambau, V., Lavergne, T., Madurell, T., Malnes, E., & Wagner, P.M. (2023). Improving satellite-based monitoring of the polar regions: Identi fi cation of research and capacity gaps. Frontiers in Remote Sensing, February, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsen.2023.952091
Hock, R. (2005). Glacier melt: A review of processes and their modelling. Progress in Physical Geography, 29(3), 362-391. https://doi.org/10.1191/0309133305pp453ra
Kääb, W.R. A. (2005). Remote Sensing of Mountain Glaciers and Permafrost Creep. Journal of Glaciology. https://doi.org/10.3189/172756507781833857
Kejna, M., Araźny, A., & Sobota, I. (2013). Climatic change on King George Island in the years 1948-2011. Polish Polar Research, 34(2), 213-235. https://doi.org/10.2478/popore-2013-0004
Kim, D. U., Khim, J. S., & Ahn, I. Y. (2021). Patterns, drivers and implications of ascidian distributions in a rapidly deglaciating fjord, King George Island, West Antarctic Peninsula. Ecological Indicators, 125(January), 107467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107467
Kwok, R., & Comiso, J.C. (2002). Spatial patterns of variability in Antarctic surface temperature: Connections to the Southern Hemisphere Annular Mode and the Southern Oscillation. Geophysical Research Letters, 29(14), 2-5. https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL015415
Lee, J., Jin, Y. K., Hong, J. K., Yoo, H. J., & Shon, H. (2008). Simulation of a tidewater glacier evolution in Marian Cove, King George Island, Antarctica. Geosciences Journal, 12(1), 33-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12303-008-0005-x
Liang, Q., Zhou, C., Howat, I. M., Jeong, S., Liu, R., & Chen, Y. (2019). Ice flow variations at Polar Record Glacier , East Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 65, 279-287. https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2019.6
Ma, Y., & Bassis, J. N. (2019). The Effect of Submarine Melting on Calving From Marine Terminating Glaciers. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 124(2), 334-346. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004820
Marghany, M. (2016). Remote Sensing of Mountain Glaciers and Related Hazards. https://doi.org/10.5772/61917
Marinsek, S., & Ermolin, E. (2015). 10 year mass balance by glaciological and geodetic methods of Glaciar Bahía del Diablo , Vega Island , Antarctic Peninsula. Annals of Glaciology, 56(70), 141-146. https://doi.org/10.3189/2015AoG70A958
Meredith, M. P., & King, J. C. (2005). Rapid climate change in the ocean west of the Antarctic Peninsula during the second half of the 20th century. Geophysical Research Letters, 32(19), n/a-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL024042
Miles, B.W. J., & Bingham, R.G. (2024). Progressive unanchoring of Antarctic ice shelves since 1973. Nature, 626. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07049-0
Navarro, F. J., Jonsell, U. Y., Corcuera, I., & Marti, A. (2013). Decelerated mass loss of Hurd and Johnsons Glaciers , Livingston Island , Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Glaciology, 59(213), 115-128. https://doi.org/10.3189/2013JoG12J144
Oliva, M., Navarro, F., Hrbáček, F., Hernández, A., Nývlt, D., Pereira, P., Ruiz-Fernández, J., & Trigo, R. (2017). Recent regional climate cooling on the Antarctic Peninsula and associated impacts on the cryosphere. Science of The Total Environment, 580, 210-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.030
Osmanoğlu, B., Braun, M., Hock, R., & Navarro, F. J. (2013). Surface velocity and ice discharge of the ice cap on King George Island, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 54(63), 111-119. https://doi.org/10.3189/2013AoG63A517
Paolo, F. S., Padman, L., Fricker, H. A., Adusumilli, S., Howard, S., & Siegfried, M. R. (2018). Response of Pacific-sector Antarctic ice shelves to the El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Nature Geoscience, 11(2), 121-126. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-017-0033-0
Pȩtlicki, M., Sziło, J., MacDonell, S., Vivero, S., & Bialik, R. J. (2017). Recent deceleration of the ice elevation change of Ecology Glacier (King George Island, Antarctica). Remote Sensing, 9(6), 7-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs9060520
Pudełko, R., Angiel, P. J., Potocki, M., Jȩdrejek, A., & Kozak, M. (2018). Fluctuation of glacial retreat rates in the eastern part of Warszawa icefield, King George Island, Antarctica, 1979-2018. Remote Sensing, 10(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/rs10060892
Racoviteanu, A.E., Arnaud, Y., Williams, M.W., & Ordoñez, J. (2008). Decadal changes in glacier parameters in the Cordillera Blanca , Peru , derived from remote sensing. Journal of Glaciology, 54(186), 499-510. https://doi.org/10.3189/002214308785836922
Rajat, S., Singh, B.R., Prakash, C., & Anita, S. (2022). Remote Sensing Applications : Society and Environment Glacier retreat in Himachal from 1994 to 2021 using deep learning. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 28, 100870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2022.100870
Rastner, P., Bolch, T., Mölg, N., Machguth, H., Bris, R. Le, & Paul, F. (2012). The first complete inventory of the local glaciers and ice caps on Greenland. The Cryosphere, 6, 1483-1495. https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-6-1483-2012
Raup, B.H., Andreassen, L.M., Bolch, T., & Bevan, S. (2014). Remote sensing of glaciers. In Remote Sensing of the Cryosphere (pp. 123-156). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118368909.ch7
RGI Consortium. (2017). Randolph Glacier Inventory - A Dataset of Global Glacier Outlines: Version 6.0 GLIMS Technical Report RGI. Global Land Ice Measurements from Space, Colorado, USA. Digital Media, 4(July), 71.
Rückamp, M., & Blindow, N. (2012). King George Island ice cap geometry updated with airborne GPR measurements. Earth System Science Data, 4(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-4-23-2012
Rückamp, M., Braun, M., Suckro, S., & Blindow, N. (2011). Observed glacial changes on the King George Island ice cap, Antarctica, in the last decade. Global and Planetary Change, 79(1-2), 99-109. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2011.06.009
Santamaría-del-Ángel, E., Cañon-Páez, M.-L., Sebastiá-Frasquet, M.-T., González-Silvera, A., Gutierrez, A.-L., Aguilar-Maldonado, J.-A., López-Calderón, J., Camacho-Ibar, V., Franco-Herrera, A., & Castillo-Ramírez, A. (2021). Interannual Climate Variability in the West Antarctic Peninsula under Austral Summer Conditions. Remote Sensing, 13(6), 1122. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs13061122
Siegert, M., Atkinson, A., Banwell, A., Brandon, M., Convey, P., Davies, B., Downie, R., Edwards, T., Hubbard, B., Marshall, G., Rogelj, J., Rumble, J., Stroeve, J., & Vaughan, D. (2019). The Antarctic Peninsula under a 1.5°C global warming scenario. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 7(JUN), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2019.00102
Simões, J. C., Bremer, U. F., Aquino, F. E., & Ferron, F. A. (1999). Morphology and variations of glacial drainage basins in the King George Island ice field, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 29, 220-224. https://doi.org/10.3189/172756499781821085
Sobota, I., Araźny, A., & Kejna, M. (2015). Short-term mass changes and retreat of the Ecology and Sphinx glacier system , King George Island , Antarctic Peninsula. Antarctic Science, May. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102015000188
Turner, J., Lu, H., White, I., King, J. C., Phillips, T., Hosking, J. S., Bracegirdle, T. J., Marshall, G. J., Mulvaney, R., & Deb, P. (2016). Absence of 21st century warming on Antarctic Peninsula consistent with natural variability. Nature, 535(7612), 411-415. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature18645
Turner, J., Marshall, G. J., Clem, K., Colwell, S., Phillips, T., & Lu, H. (2019). Antarctic temperature variability and change from station data. International Journal of Climatology, 40(6), 2986-3007. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6378
Walker, C. C., & Gardner, A. S. (2017). Rapid drawdown of Antarctica's Wordie Ice Shelf glaciers in response to ENSO/Southern Annular Mode-driven warming in the Southern Ocean. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 476(November), 100-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2017.08.005
Wei, T., Yan, Q., & Ding, M. (2019). Distribution and temporal trends of temperature extremes over Antarctica. Environmental Research Letters, 14(8). https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab33c1
Yao-Jun, L., Yong-Jian, D., Dong-Hui, S., & Rong-Jun, W. (2019). Regional differences in global glacier retreat from 1980 to 2015. Advances in Climate Change Research, 10(4), 203-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2020.03.003
Yuan, X. (2004). ENSO-related impacts on Antarctic sea ice: A synthesis of phenomenon and mechanisms. Antarctic Science, 16(4), 415-425. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102004002238
Zemp, M., & Welty, E. (2023). Temporal downscaling of glaciological mass balance using seasonal observations. Journal of Glaciology. https://doi.org/10.1017/ jog.2023.66
