Antarctica is losing ice 6 times faster today than in the 1980s

WASHINGTON – A new study shows that Antarctica is melting more than six times faster than in the 1980s.

Scientists have used aerial photographs, satellite measurements and computer models to track how quickly the southernmost continent is melting since 1979. They find that ice loss is accelerating dramatically – an important indicator of man-made climate change.

Since 2009, Antarctica has lost almost 278 billion tonnes (252 billion tonnes) of ice per year, according to the new study. In the 1980s, it lost 44 billion tonnes (40 billion tonnes) a year.

Lead author Eric Rignot says it is worrying that the ice melt is in Eastern Antarctica, which used to be stable.

The study is on Monday's continuation of the National Academy of Sciences.