Fürst, J. et al., including A. Rivera (2024): Communications Earth & Environment (DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-01193-7

Abstract.

The two vast Patagonian icefields are a global hotspot for ice-loss. However, not much is known about the total ice volume they store – let alone its spatial distribution. One reason is that the abundant record of direct thickness measurements has never been systematically exploited. Here, this record is combined with remotely-sensed information on past ice thickness mapped from glacier retreat. Both datasets are incorporated in a state-of-the-art, mass-conservation approach to produce a well-informed map of the basal topography beneath the icefields. Its major asset is the reliability increase of thicknesses values along the many marine- and lake-terminating glaciers. For these, frontal ice-discharge is notably lower than previously reported. This finding implies that direct climatic control was more influential for past ice loss. We redact a total volume for both icefields in 2000 of 5351km2. Despite the wealth of observations used in this assessment, relative volume uncertainties remain elevated.

 

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