Elevation Change of the Greenland Ice Sheet and its Peripheral Glaciers: 1992–2023

Abstract. The integration of data from multiple satellite altimetry missions, each offering unique observational characteristics, has enabled us to discern both short-term variability and long-term climate trends affecting Greenland’s peripheral glaciers and the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). Our methodology, adapted and informed by lessons learned from our similar efforts in Antarctica, ensures the consistency and reliability of the derived elevation change dataset. The data covers the years 1992–2023 and is made publicly available as part of the NASA's Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) Inter-Mission Time Series of Land Ice Velocity and Elevation (ITS_LIVE) project. Our analysis of the dataset reveals significant patterns of mass loss across the GrIS. We find that the ice sheet and peripheral glaciers have experienced an average mass loss of -173 ± 19 Gt a^-1 and -23 ± 5 Gt a^-1 respectively over the 1992–2022 time period (given temporal availability of selected firn models), with notable variations over time. Specifically, the early years of the record exhibit a positive mass balance, likely due to anomalously positive surface mass balance. However, this trend shifts in subsequent years, with a pronounced increase in mass loss rates, highlighting the accelerating impact of a changing climate on ice sheet dynamics and surface mass balance. Moreover, our analysis underscores the importance of considering peripheral glaciers in addition to the continental ice sheet when assessing overall mass trends. By incorporating data from peripheral glaciers, we provide a more comprehensive understanding of Greenland’s total contributions to global sea level rise. Our findings reveal not only the magnitude of mass loss but also its evolution over time, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and research to better understand the impacts of climate change on Earth's cryosphere.