Analysis of continuous calving front retreat and the associated influencing factors of the Thwaites Glacier using high-resolution remote sensing data from 2015 to 2023

Abstract

The Thwaites Glacier (TG), accounting for four percent of present-day sea-level rise, has been confirmed with the irreversible retreat and thinning. Consequently, understanding the continuous calving front retreat within the TG is pivotal for accurately monitoring glacier dynamics and future Antarctic impact on global climate change. In this study, based on the novel deep learning method for calving front delineation and the surface melt detection framework, we utilized high-resolution remote sensing data from 2015 to 2023 to analyze continuous calving retreat and the associated influencing factors including surface melt, and ice velocity of the TG. Our findings reveal a retreat of 18.0 km and a mass loss of [Formula: see text]. Satellite data illustrate prolonged and intense melting periods in the 2016/2017 melting season, correlating with a significant retreat in the glacier's terminus position in early 2017. We also demonstrate that the ice flow velocity on the near the pinning point remains consistently slow and stable (from 0.5 to 1.8 m/day) from 2015 to 2023, while the Thwaites West Ice Tongue (TWIT) undergoes pronounced dynamic variations characterized with higher ice velocities and frequent frontal fluctuations (from 11.4 to 15.7 m/day), subsequently accelerating the calving of the TG. We believe a profound understanding of these interrelationships holds paramount importance in glacier dynamic changes and modeling, providing invaluable insights into potential glacier responses to global climate change and the implementation of SDG13 (Climate Action).

Keywords

• Thwaites Glacier
• calving front
• surface melt
• ice flow velocity
• remote sensing