Articles | Volume 18, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-147-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-147-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description paper
| 
06 Jan 2026
Data description paper |
| 06 Jan 2026
| 06 Jan 2026
A six-year circum-Antarctic icebergs dataset (2018–2023)
Zilong Chen
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
Xuying Liu
Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
Zhenfu Guan
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
Xiao Cheng
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
Bristol Glaciology Centre, School of Geographical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1SS, UK
State Key Laboratory of Remote Sensing and Digital Earth, College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
Lei Zheng
School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 51908, China
Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment (Sun Yat-sen University), Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China
Jiping Liu
School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 51908, China
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We extracted nearshore small icebergs in front of Dalk Glacier using UAV high-resolution data and directly obtained geometric parameters of the icebergs and analyzed their distribution patterns. The area/volume relationship of our icebergs aligns with the medium to large icebergs in existing ocean model. The study demonstrates UAVs' effectiveness in polar research and the importance of including all iceberg sizes in ocean modeling for better environmental impact predictions.
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Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 1441–1460, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1441-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-1441-2025, 2025
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Yan Sun, Shaoyin Wang, Xiao Cheng, Teng Li, Chong Liu, Yufang Ye, and Xi Zhao
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Arctic sea ice has rapidly declined due to global warming, leading to extreme weather events. Accurate ice monitoring is vital for understanding and forecasting these impacts. Combining SAR and AMSR2 data with machine learning is efficient but requires sufficient labels. We propose a framework integrating the U-Net model with the Multi-textRG algorithm to achieve ice-water classification at SAR-level resolution and to generate accurate labels for improved U-Net model training.
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Haihan Hu, Jiechen Zhao, Petra Heil, Zhiliang Qin, Jingkai Ma, Fengming Hui, and Xiao Cheng
The Cryosphere, 17, 2231–2244, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2231-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-2231-2023, 2023
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The oceanic characteristics beneath sea ice significantly affect ice growth and melting. The high-frequency and long-term observations of oceanic variables allow us to deeply investigate their diurnal and seasonal variation and evaluate their influences on sea ice evolution. The large-scale sea ice distribution and ocean circulation contributed to the seasonal variation of ocean variables, revealing the important relationship between large-scale and local phenomena.
Tian Li, Geoffrey J. Dawson, Stephen J. Chuter, and Jonathan L. Bamber
The Cryosphere, 17, 1003–1022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1003-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-1003-2023, 2023
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The Totten and Moscow University glaciers in East Antarctica have the potential to make a significant contribution to future sea-level rise. We used a combination of different satellite measurements to show that the grounding lines have been retreating along the fast-flowing ice streams across these two glaciers. We also found two tide-modulated ocean channels that might open new pathways for the warm ocean water to enter the ice shelf cavity.
Yufang Ye, Yanbing Luo, Yan Sun, Mohammed Shokr, Signe Aaboe, Fanny Girard-Ardhuin, Fengming Hui, Xiao Cheng, and Zhuoqi Chen
The Cryosphere, 17, 279–308, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-279-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-279-2023, 2023
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Arctic sea ice type (SITY) variation is a sensitive indicator of climate change. This study gives a systematic inter-comparison and evaluation of eight SITY products. Main results include differences in SITY products being significant, with average Arctic multiyear ice extent up to 1.8×106 km2; Ku-band scatterometer SITY products generally performing better; and factors such as satellite inputs, classification methods, training datasets and post-processing highly impacting their performance.
Chong Liu, Xiaoqing Xu, Xuejie Feng, Xiao Cheng, Caixia Liu, and Huabing Huang
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 15, 133–153, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-133-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-15-133-2023, 2023
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Rapid Arctic changes are increasingly influencing human society, both locally and globally. Land cover offers a basis for characterizing the terrestrial world, yet spatially detailed information on Arctic land cover is lacking. We employ multi-source data to develop a new land cover map for the circumpolar Arctic. Our product reveals regionally contrasting biome distributions not fully documented in existing studies and thus enhances our understanding of the Arctic’s terrestrial system.
Qi Liang, Wanxin Xiao, Ian Howat, Xiao Cheng, Fengming Hui, Zhuoqi Chen, Mi Jiang, and Lei Zheng
The Cryosphere, 16, 2671–2681, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2671-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2671-2022, 2022
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Using multi-temporal ArcticDEM and ICESat-2 altimetry data, we document changes in surface elevation of a subglacial lake basin from 2012 to 2021. The long-term measurements show that the subglacial lake was recharged by surface meltwater and that a rapid drainage event in late August 2019 induced an abrupt ice velocity change. Multiple factors regulate the episodic filling and drainage of the lake. Our study also reveals ~ 64 % of the surface meltwater successfully descended to the bed.
Tian Li, Geoffrey J. Dawson, Stephen J. Chuter, and Jonathan L. Bamber
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 535–557, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-535-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-535-2022, 2022
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Accurate knowledge of the Antarctic grounding zone is important for mass balance calculation, ice sheet stability assessment, and ice sheet model projections. Here we present the first ICESat-2-derived high-resolution grounding zone product of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, including three important boundaries. This new data product will provide more comprehensive insights into ice sheet instability, which is valuable for both the cryosphere and sea level science communities.
Yijing Lin, Yan Liu, Zhitong Yu, Xiao Cheng, Qiang Shen, and Liyun Zhao
The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-325, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2021-325, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
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We introduce an uncertainty analysis framework for comprehensively and systematically quantifying the uncertainties of the Antarctic mass balance using the Input and Output Method. It is difficult to use the previous strategies employed in various methods and the available data to achieve the goal of estimation accuracy. The dominant cause of the future uncertainty is the ice thickness data gap. The interannual variability of ice discharge caused by velocity and thickness is also nonnegligible.
Mengzhen Qi, Yan Liu, Jiping Liu, Xiao Cheng, Yijing Lin, Qiyang Feng, Qiang Shen, and Zhitong Yu
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 13, 4583–4601, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4583-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-4583-2021, 2021
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A total of 1975 annual calving events larger than 1 km2 were detected on the Antarctic ice shelves from August 2005 to August 2020. The average annual calved area was measured as 3549.1 km2, and the average calving rate was measured as 770.3 Gt yr-1. Iceberg calving is most prevalent in West Antarctica, followed by the Antarctic Peninsula and Wilkes Land in East Antarctica. This annual iceberg calving dataset provides consistent and precise calving observations with the longest time coverage.
Linlu Mei, Vladimir Rozanov, Evelyn Jäkel, Xiao Cheng, Marco Vountas, and John P. Burrows
The Cryosphere, 15, 2781–2802, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2781-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-2781-2021, 2021
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This paper presents a new snow property retrieval algorithm from satellite observations. This is Part 2 of two companion papers and shows the results and validation. The paper performs the new retrieval algorithm on the Sea and Land
Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) instrument and compares the retrieved snow properties with ground-based measurements, aircraft measurements and other satellite products.
Yu Zhou, Jianlong Chen, and Xiao Cheng
Earth Surf. Dynam. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-2021-21, https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-2021-21, 2021
Preprint withdrawn
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Short summary
Our study uses Google Earth Engine to create a dataset of Antarctic icebergs in the Southern Ocean (south of 55° S) from October 2018 to 2023. The dataset includes icebergs larger than 0.04 km², with details on their locations, sizes, and shapes. It shows significant changes in iceberg number and area, mainly driven by major ice shelf calving events – especially in the Weddell Sea. This resource fills key gaps in understanding iceberg impacts on the ocean and climate.
Our study uses Google Earth Engine to create a dataset of Antarctic icebergs in the Southern...
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