--- title: "Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice since 1979" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/climate/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/climate/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979" category: "Climate" published: "2026-09-16T10:05:44.099Z" source_reported: "2026-09-16T09:54:01.000Z" updated: "2026-09-16T10:05:44.099Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 20 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-16T10:01:13.127866+00:00" --- # Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice since 1979 *Study shows ice loss contributed to 3.14cm global sea level rise, driven by faster glacier flow.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to a named body (Imbie) and supported by two independent outlets. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Reports include specific figures, dates, and names, and explain why the story matters. - Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. Headlines and content are measured and proportionate to the scientific findings. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Greenland and Antarctica have lost between 11.3 and 12.5 trillion tons of ice since 1979. - This ice loss has contributed to a global sea level rise of approximately 3 to 3.14 centimeters. - The primary driver of ice loss is the acceleration of glaciers flowing into the ocean, rather than surface melting. - The study used data from European and NASA satellites, extending records back to 1972 for Greenland and 1979 for Antarctica. Between 11.3 and 12.5 trillion tons of ice have been lost from Greenland and Antarctica since 1979, according to a major scientific report. This ice loss has contributed to a global sea level rise of approximately 3 to 3.14 centimeters. The primary driver of this loss is the acceleration of glaciers flowing into the ocean, rather than surface melting, the study found. Data from European and NASA satellites were incorporated, extending the ice sheet volume record back to 1972 for Greenland and 1979 for Antarctica. Eric Rignot, an ice scientist at the University of California, Irvine, stated that ice sheets are melting away fast and sea level is rising worldwide. The study, published in the journal Scientific Data, indicates that approximately 84% of the combined ice loss was due to accelerated glacier flow, with only 16% attributed to surface melting. Scientists noted that while there was a pause in the accelerating trend between 2020 and 2023, this was likely due to short-term weather variations, not a reversal of the long-term pattern. ## Disagreement on total ice loss Reports vary on the precise total amount of ice lost. News 4 JAX, The Toronto Star, The Independent, The WBAL, and Winnipeg Free Press state that 12.5 trillion tons of ice were lost. La Vanguardia, corren.se, vrt, and Svenska Dagbladet report 11.3 trillion tons of ice lost. Klix and Gizmodo report more than 11 trillion tons of ice lost. WFMZ and srpskainfo.com report 11.3 billion metric tons of glacier ice lost. Dailymail.com reports 11.3 trillion tonnes of ice lost. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific figure of 11.3 trillion metric tons of ice loss reported by some outlets. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific figure of 11.3 billion metric tons of ice loss reported by WFMZ. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific figure of 11.3 billion metric tons of ice loss reported by WFMZ. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 44% (4) - Centre: 45% (4) - Right: 11% (1) 6 of 15 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-16T10:01:13.127866+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-16T10:15:34.854Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The left-rated reports led on the scale of ice loss and its contribution to sea level rise. La Vanguardia highlighted that the melting of Greenland and Antarctica has raised sea levels by more than 3 cm in 50 years, with 84% of the loss attributed to accelerated glacier flow. The Toronto Star and The Independent reported that 12.5 trillion tons of ice were lost, with The Independent noting this was a major report. Gizmodo's headline focused on the 11 trillion tons of ice lost and stated that 'speeding' glaciers are driving the loss, with the digest noting the main driver is not surface melting. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports focused on the total amount of ice lost and the resulting sea level rise. News 4 JAX and WBAL reported that 12.5 trillion tons of ice were lost, enough to stack ice five feet deep across the continental United States. vrt noted that 11 trillion tons of ice were lost over 50 years, causing sea levels to rise by more than 3 centimeters, and that the main cause is glaciers flowing into the ocean at an increasing rate. Dailymail.com reported 11.3 trillion tonnes of ice lost over 50 years, raising sea levels by more than 1.1 inches (3cm). WFMZ reported 11.3 billion metric tons of glacier ice melted since 1979. Winnipeg Free Press also reported 12.5 trillion tons of ice lost. ### Right - The single right-rated report, Svenska Dagbladet, stated that Greenland and Antarctica have lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice since the 1970s, raising global sea levels by more than three centimeters, according to a new study. The headline focused on glaciers melting and oceans rising three centimeters. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 1 - high: 7 - unknown: 6 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [srpskainfo.com](https://srpskainfo.com/magazin/alarmantni-podaci-naucnika-zemlja-izgubila-113-biliona-leda-sa-glecera-za-pola-vijeka) — Earth Has Lost 11.3 Trillion Ice From Glaciers in Half a Century - [WFMZ](https://wfmz.com/news/ap/ap-spanish/im-genes-de-sat-lites-muestran-que-la-tierra-perdi-11-billones-de-toneladas-de/article_2f5db791-56fb-575f-989d-23d57e0d02af.html) — Satellite Images Show that Earth Lost 11 Billion Tons of Ice in 47 Years - [Klix](https://klix.ba/scitech/nauka/satelitski-podaci-pokazali-da-su-grenland-i-antarktik-izgubili-vise-od-12-biliona-tona-leda/260916070) — Satellite Data Showed that Greenland and Antarctica Lost More than 12 Billion Tons of Ice - [corren.se](https://corren.se/nyheter/inrikes/klimat/artikel/glaciarer-smalter-haven-har-hojts-tre-centimeter/jvzw197r) — Glaciers Are Melting — the Oceans Have Risen Three Centimeters - [vrt](https://vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2026/09/15/ijskappen-11-biljoen-ton-ijs-verloren) — Ice Caps on Greenland and Antarctica Lost 11 Trillion Tons of Ice in 50 Years: Sea Level Rose over 3 Centimeters. - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/satellites-show-earth-lost-more-than-12-trillion-tons-of-ice-from-greenland-antarctica-in-47-years) — Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Gree - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/satellites-show-earth-lost-more-than-12-trillion-tons-of-ice-from-greenland-antarctica-in-47-years/article_549dbedb-437f-5d8a-b700-ce390b0453f8.html) — Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/earth-east-antarctica-greenland-united-states-northumbria-university-b3051052.html) — Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/tech/2026/09/16/satellites-show-earth-lost-more-than-12-trillion-tons-of-ice-from-greenland-antarctica-in-47-years) — Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years - [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/polar-ice-sheets-have-lost-11-trillion-tons-of-ice-and-speeding-glaciers-are-driving-the-loss-2000811817) — Polar Ice Sheets Have Lost 11 Trillion Tons of Ice—and 'Speeding' Glaciers Are Driving the Loss - [scinexx.de](https://scinexx.de/news/geowissen/polareisverlust-geht-vor-allem-auf-beschleunigten-gletscherfluss-zurueck) — Polar Ice Loss Is Mainly Due to Accelerated Glacier Flow - [dailymail.com](https://dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16135275/Greenland-Antarctica-lost-trillion-tonnes-ice.html) — Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tonnes of ice in 50 years - [Svenska Dagbladet](https://svd.se/a/aJ9MxA/glaciarer-smalter-haven-har-hojts-tre-centimeter) — Glaciers Are Melting — the Oceans Have Risen Three Centimeters - [La Vanguardia](https://lavanguardia.com/natural/20260916/11636002/deshielo-groenlandia-antartida-acelera-han-elevado-nivel-mar-mas-3-cm-50-anos.html) — The Melting of Greenland and Antarctica Accelerates: They Have Raised Sea Level by More than 3 Cm in 50 Years - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/sci-tech/2026/09/16/satellites-show-earth-lost-more-than-12-trillion-tons-of-ice-from-greenland-antarctica-in-47-years) — Satellites show Earth lost more than 12 trillion tons of ice from Greenland, Antarctica in 47 years ## Questions **How much ice have Greenland and Antarctica lost?** Greenland and Antarctica have lost between 11.3 and 12.5 trillion tons of ice since 1979. This significant loss is primarily driven by glaciers accelerating their flow into the ocean, rather than surface melting. **How has this ice loss affected global sea levels?** The loss of ice from Greenland and Antarctica has contributed to a global sea level rise of approximately 3 to 3.14 centimeters. This rise can increase the risk of coastal flooding and erosion for millions of people. **What is the main cause of the accelerated ice loss?** The primary driver identified by the study is the acceleration of glaciers flowing into the ocean. Warmer ocean waters are thought to be contributing to this process, leading to a faster discharge of ice. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/climate/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Greenland and Antarctica lost 11.3 trillion tons of ice since 1979", https://mediabias.news/climate/greenland-and-antarctica-lost-113-trillion-tons-of-ice-since-1979