Today, there is evidence that global warming is causing massive ice melting around the world. However, the extent of this phenomenon cannot be accurately assessed due to a lack of data.

According to the analysis of satellite observations since 2000 by an international team of scientists, there is no evidence that this melting phenomenon is strong and accelerating over time.

Since 2000, the average mass loss of glaciers has been 267 billion tons per year. In recent years, scientists have even observed an acceleration of this phenomenon: between 2000 and 2004, annual ice loss reached 227 gigatons, and between 2015 and 2019, it reached 298 gigatons.

In the past 20 years, the Terra satellite has regularly obtained paired images of the Earth's surface using two cameras. Based on these images, scientists have created a series of numerical models of glacier elevation with the highest spatial and temporal accuracy to date.

The results show that the glaciers most affected by this rapid melting phenomenon are located in the Alps, Iceland, and Alaska. At the same time, researchers found that the rate of glacier melting slowed down on the east coast of Greenland, Iceland, and the Scandinavian Peninsula from 2010 to 2019. Experts believe that this deceleration may be due to abnormal weather conditions during this period when precipitation increased and temperatures decreased in these regions.

Changes in precipitation play a significant role in determining the timing and geographic distribution of glacier mass loss. On the other hand, the overall acceleration of these losses is a result of the inherent temperature rise of global warming.

Undoubtedly, this work will help to improve predictions of future glacier evolution and anticipate the problems that melting or accumulation in each region may cause.

To assess glacier evolution, the increase or loss of ice on the entire glacier surface is measured on an annual scale, which is called surface mass balance. Analysis of this long-term (usually over 10 years) surface mass balance highlights the relationship between climate and glacier evolution.

For example, in the Alps, the amount of meltwater has increased significantly in recent decades due to the lengthening and intensification of summer melting time.

The study of glacier fronts is also a good indicator of health. When snow accumulates more than the melting ice, the front moves forward; conversely, when the accumulation is less than the melting, the front moves backward.

For centuries and thousands of years, the extent of world glaciers has changed naturally. Analyzing the rock sedimentation of glacial moraines can determine the maximum glaciation extent in glacier history. We know that in the last major ice age 12,000 years ago, the glaciers were much larger than they are today.

Today's melting speed and amplitude are unparalleled in the past. Several scientific studies indicate that human activities causing global warming, such as deforestation, the widespread use of fossil fuels, and carbon dioxide production, are the reasons for this sharp acceleration.

Regardless of the global greenhouse gas emission reduction measures adopted, the inertia of the climate system and the slow response time of glaciers will inevitably lead to continued massive melting until 2050.

The evolution of glaciers will depend on the scenario adopted. If countries can achieve emissions reductions and carbon neutrality before 2050, according to the IPCC special report, this will limit global warming to 1.5°C, and glacier loss will decrease. On the other hand, if harmful emissions continue, the decline of glaciers will accelerate.

Unfortunately, low-lying and small glaciers are destined to disappear completely in the next few years.