Gałdyn et al. (2026) Non-Linear Global Ice and Water Storage Changes from a Combination of Satellite Laser Ranging and GRACE Data

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Identification

• Journal: Remote Sensing
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-16
• Authors: Filip Gałdyn, Krzysztof Sośnica, Radosław Zajdel, Ulrich Meyer, Adrian Jäggi
• DOI: 10.3390/rs18020313

Research Groups

[Not specified in the provided text.]

Short Summary

This study combines Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and GRACE data to reconstruct global water and ice mass variations from 1995 to 2024, revealing widespread accelerations and key turning points in mass change, thereby extending gravity-based observations into the pre-GRACE era.

Objective

• To reconstruct large-scale, non-linear mass variations of global ice and water storage from 1995 to 2024 by combining Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data, extending gravity-based observations into the pre-GRACE era while preserving spatial detail.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global, with specific regional analyses for Svalbard, Gulf of Alaska, and the Antarctic Peninsula.
• Temporal Scale: 1995 to 2024 (29 years).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A combined model integrating SLR and GRACE data, employing backward extrapolation to extend observations into the pre-GRACE era.
• Data sources: Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) data, Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data, independent satellite altimetry, and climate indicators.

Main Results

• Widespread and statistically significant accelerations in global water and ice mass changes were detected.
• Key turning points in the temporal evolution of mass changes were identified.
• Svalbard experienced a non-linear transition in ice mass balance in late 2004, followed by a pronounced acceleration of mass loss.
• Glaciers in the Gulf of Alaska showed persistent mass loss with a marked intensification after 2012.
• In the Antarctic Peninsula, ice mass loss substantially slowed, with a potential trend reversal emerging around 2021.
• The reconstructed mass anomalies demonstrated strong consistency with independent satellite altimetry and climate indicators, including a clear response to the 1997/1998 El Niño event prior to the GRACE mission.

Contributions

• Extends gravity-based observations of large-scale, non-linear mass variations into the pre-GRACE era (1995-2002) while preserving spatial detail.
• Enables robust detection of non-linear, climate-driven mass redistribution on a global scale.
• Provides a physically consistent extension of satellite gravimetry records beyond the GRACE era.
• Demonstrates the efficacy of integrating SLR with GRACE for long-term mass change analysis.

Funding

[Not specified in the provided text.]

Citation

@article{Gałdyn2026NonLinear,
  author = {Gałdyn, Filip and Sośnica, Krzysztof and Zajdel, Radosław and Meyer, Ulrich and Jäggi, Adrian},
  title = {Non-Linear Global Ice and Water Storage Changes from a Combination of Satellite Laser Ranging and GRACE Data},
  journal = {Remote Sensing},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3390/rs18020313},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18020313}
}