Glacier changes in the circumpolar Arctic and sub-Arctic, mid-1980s to late-2000s/2011

A new inventory record of satellite-derived area, length, elevation range and surface slope changes from the mid-1980s to late 2000s/2011 for 317 land-terminating glaciers and ice caps (GIC) is presented. The investigated GIC are located in 12 geographic regions throughout the circumpolar Arctic and sub-Arctic. This geographic subdivision allows us to examine regional variations in recent glacier changes. The method is based on a semi-automated classification approach which extracts GIC extent from satellite scenes. Most of the observed GIC show a reduction in area, length, elevation range and slope. On regional scale, the observed GIC changed in area between −4 ± 3% (Nuuk, West Greenland; 1987–2003) and −40 ± 4% (Talkeetna, southern Alaska; 1987–2011), equal to shrinking rates between −0.2% yr−1 and −1.7% yr−1. The regional change in length was between −36 ± 13 m (southern British Columbia; 1985–2011) and −481 ± 85 m (southern Ellesmere Island; 1988–2009), equal to −1 ± 0.5 m yr−1 and −23 ± 4 m yr−1. Reg...