Rapid ice melting drives Earth's pole to the east

2013/05/13 by Jianli Chen, Clark R. Wilson, J. C. Ries +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Earth and Planetary Sciences · Physics and Astronomy · #Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies #Geophysics and Gravity Measurements #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

paper · pdf · doi:10.1002/grl.50552

openalex publication_date 2013/05/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Space geodetic observations of polar motion show that around 2005, the average annual pole position began drifting toward the east, an abrupt departure from the drift direction seen over the past century. Satellite gravity measurements from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) show that about 90% of this change is due to accelerated melting of polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers and related sea level rise. The close relationship between long‐term polar motion and climate‐related mass redistribution established using GRACE data indicates that accurately measured polar motion data offer an additional tool for monitoring global‐scale ice melting and sea level rise and should be useful in bridging the anticipated gap between GRACE and follow‐on satellite gravity missions.

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Discussions

• Hey! Yes, it’s a great thought! The Earth’s shifting mass distribution does indeed effect our polar wander. The North Polar is now moving towards Greenland at something like 21 cm per year. It’s w [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]

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