A study published today in Nature reports the results of the Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (GlaMBIE) project. It provides the most comprehensive comparison of glacier mass loss estimates to date, integrating multiple satellite and in situ observational techniques, including glaciological measurements, satellite-derived digital elevation model (DEM) differencing, altimetry and gravimetry measurements.
By systematically assessing data from different sources, researchers refined estimates of global glacier melt, revealing a mass loss of approximately 273 gigatonnes between 2000 and 2023. At the same time, local/regional trends were analysed.
This study enhances glacier monitoring at global level, and highlights the importance of combining diverse measurement approaches. It also allows a better understanding of differences between observational methods which will help improve calibration of model estimates.
For more details, read the full article on the ESA EO pages.
The GlaMBIE Team. Community estimate of global glacier mass changes from 2000 to 2023. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08545-z