Articles | Volume 18, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-6017-2026
© 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-18-6017-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
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25 Aug 2026
Data description article | Highlight paper |
| 25 Aug 2026
| 25 Aug 2026
Grounded icebergs around Antarctica: a high-resolution dataset derived from deep learning and Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Alexander D. Fraser
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Johannes Lohse
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Department of Physics and Technology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Pat Wongpan
Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, nipaluna/Hobart, Australia
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Tasmania, Australia
Caitlin Adams
Geoscience Australia, Canberra, Australia
Alexander C. Bradley
Geoscience Australia, Canberra, Australia
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Robert A. Massom, Phillip A. Reid, Stephen G. Warren, Bonnie Light, Donald K. Perovich, Luke G. Bennetts, Petteri Uotila, Siobhan P. O'Farrell, Michael H. Meylan, Klaus M. Meiners, Pat Wongpan, Alexander D. Fraser, Alessandro Toffoli, Giulio Passerotti, Peter G. Strutton, Sean M. T. Chua, and Melissa Fedrigo
The Cryosphere, 20, 3271–3298, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3271-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-20-3271-2026, 2026
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This paper advances understanding of why and how Antarctic sea ice can retreat so rapidly each summer, and identifies critical gaps in climate models, by highlighting 3 previously-neglected wave-driven processes and 5 associated feedbacks that accelerate seasonal ice melting and link physics to biology (wave flooding, wave pulverisation and wave greening). There are major implications for Earth’s radiation budget, Antarctic ecosystems and the accuracy of future sea-ice and climate projections.
Daniel Patrick Atwater, Pat Wongpan, Siobhan O’Farrell, Will Hobbs, Paul Spence, Mathieu Plante, Jean-Francois Lemieux, Alexander C. Bradley, Caitlin Adams, and Alexander D. Fraser
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1541, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1541, 2026
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This study improves how Antarctic landfast sea ice is represented in a computer model. By testing different settings and adding a new map of grounded icebergs, we found a setup that closely matches the observed location and seasonal cycle of this type of sea ice. We also show that most of the simulated landfast sea ice depends on grounded icebergs for support. These results provide a practical way to improve climate models without harming their broader sea ice performance.
Joey J. Voermans, Alexander D. Fraser, Jill Brouwer, Michael H. Meylan, Qingxiang Liu, and Alexander V. Babanin
The Cryosphere, 19, 3381–3395, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3381-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-19-3381-2025, 2025
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Limited measurements of waves in sea ice exist, preventing our understanding of wave attenuation in sea ice under a wide range of ice conditions. Using satellite observations from ICESat-2, we observe an overall linear increase in the wave attenuation rate with distance into the marginal ice zone. While attenuation may vary greatly locally, this finding may provide opportunities for the modeling of waves in sea ice at global and climate scales when such fine detail may not be needed.
Kazuya Kusahara, Daisuke Hirano, Masakazu Fujii, Alexander D. Fraser, Takeshi Tamura, Kohei Mizobata, Guy D. Williams, and Shigeru Aoki
The Cryosphere, 18, 43–73, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-18-43-2024, 2024
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This study focuses on the Totten and Moscow University ice shelves, East Antarctica. We used an ocean–sea ice–ice shelf model to better understand regional interactions between ocean, sea ice, and ice shelf. We found that a combination of warm ocean water and local sea ice production influences the regional ice shelf basal melting. Furthermore, the model reproduced the summertime undercurrent on the upper continental slope, regulating ocean heat transport onto the continental shelf.
Lingwei Zhang, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Lenneke M. Jong, Sarah S. Thompson, Alison S. Criscitiello, and Nerilie J. Abram
The Cryosphere, 17, 5155–5173, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-5155-2023, 2023
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Physical features in ice cores provide unique records of past variability. We identified 1–2 mm ice layers without bubbles in surface ice cores from Law Dome, East Antarctica, occurring on average five times per year. The origin of these bubble-free layers is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether they have the potential to record past atmospheric processes and circulation. We find that the bubble-free layers are linked to accumulation hiatus events and meridional moisture transport.
Jill Brouwer, Alexander D. Fraser, Damian J. Murphy, Pat Wongpan, Alberto Alberello, Alison Kohout, Christopher Horvat, Simon Wotherspoon, Robert A. Massom, Jessica Cartwright, and Guy D. Williams
The Cryosphere, 16, 2325–2353, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-2325-2022, 2022
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The marginal ice zone is the region where ocean waves interact with sea ice. Although this important region influences many sea ice, ocean and biological processes, it has been difficult to accurately measure on a large scale from satellite instruments. We present new techniques for measuring wave attenuation using the NASA ICESat-2 laser altimeter. By measuring how waves attenuate within the sea ice, we show that the marginal ice zone may be far wider than previously realised.
Tian R. Tian, Alexander D. Fraser, Noriaki Kimura, Chen Zhao, and Petra Heil
The Cryosphere, 16, 1299–1314, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-16-1299-2022, 2022
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This study presents a comprehensive validation of a satellite observational sea ice motion product in Antarctica by using drifting buoys. Two problems existing in this sea ice motion product have been noticed. After rectifying problems, we use it to investigate the impacts of satellite observational configuration and timescale on Antarctic sea ice kinematics and suggest the future improvement of satellite missions specifically designed for retrieval of sea ice motion.
Jessica Cartwright, Alexander D. Fraser, and Richard Porter-Smith
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 479–490, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-479-2022, 2022
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Due to the scale and remote nature of the polar regions, it is essential to use satellite remote sensing to monitor and understand them and their dynamics. Here we present data from the Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT), processed in a manner proven for use in cryosphere studies. The data have been processed on three timescales (5 d, 2 d and 1 d) in order to optimise temporal resolution as each of the three MetOp satellites is launched.
Alexander D. Fraser, Robert A. Massom, Mark S. Handcock, Phillip Reid, Kay I. Ohshima, Marilyn N. Raphael, Jessica Cartwright, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Zhaohui Wang, and Richard Porter-Smith
The Cryosphere, 15, 5061–5077, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-15-5061-2021, 2021
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Landfast ice is sea ice that remains stationary by attaching to Antarctica's coastline and grounded icebergs. Although a variable feature, landfast ice exerts influence on key coastal processes involving pack ice, the ice sheet, ocean, and atmosphere and is of ecological importance. We present a first analysis of change in landfast ice over an 18-year period and quantify trends (−0.19 ± 0.18 % yr−1). This analysis forms a reference of landfast-ice extent and variability for use in other studies.
Camilla K. Crockart, Tessa R. Vance, Alexander D. Fraser, Nerilie J. Abram, Alison S. Criscitiello, Mark A. J. Curran, Vincent Favier, Ailie J. E. Gallant, Christoph Kittel, Helle A. Kjær, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Lenneke M. Jong, Andrew D. Moy, Christopher T. Plummer, Paul T. Vallelonga, Jonathan Wille, and Lingwei Zhang
Clim. Past, 17, 1795–1818, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-17-1795-2021, 2021
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We present preliminary analyses of the annual sea salt concentrations and snowfall accumulation in a new East Antarctic ice core, Mount Brown South. We compare this record with an updated Law Dome (Dome Summit South site) ice core record over the period 1975–2016. The Mount Brown South record preserves a stronger and inverse signal for the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (in austral winter and spring) compared to the Law Dome record (in summer).
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Editorial statement
This study presents a high-resolution, continent-wide dataset of grounded icebergs around Antarctica. By providing a comprehensive inventory of 39 619 stationary icebergs, including icebergs as small as 0.016 km², it establishes a reference dataset for investigations of Antarctic coastal processes, fast ice dynamics, and marine ecosystems.
This study presents a high-resolution, continent-wide dataset of grounded icebergs around...
Short summary
Grounded icebergs anchor Antarctic sea ice and support marine ecosystems, yet their continent-wide distribution was previously unknown. Using satellite radar imagery and an automated artificial intelligence tool, we mapped nearly 40 000 stationary icebergs. We discovered that tiny, frequently overlooked icebergs actually dominate both the total number and area. This public dataset offers a crucial new baseline for modelling coastal ice stability and understanding broader environmental changes.
Grounded icebergs anchor Antarctic sea ice and support marine ecosystems, yet their...
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