Advancing glacier science with new techniques for measuring mass changes
February 2025
“Glaciers are one of the most sensitive water systems to respond to changes in climate. What’s happening today is that human activities are enhancing the amount of energy available to melt glaciers, largely through the continued rise in greenhouse gas emissions.” — Brian Menounos, research scientist, Natural Resources Canada
NRCan scientist Brian Menounos measuring daily snow melt over the ice surface at Place Glacier, British Columbia.
The seven-second summary:
Glaciers are among the most sensitive indicators of climate change. Scientists use many innovative techniques — including field measurements, laser altimetry, gravity monitoring and stereo imagery to track ice mass loss. The Glacier Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise (GlaMBIE) brings these methods together to provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of how glaciers are changing around the globe.
This research is especially crucial for Canada, home to nearly a quarter of the world’s glaciers. As glacier loss accelerates due to climate change, ongoing research aims to improve monitoring and refine forecasts to inform conservation and management efforts.
Measurement techniques:
- Glaciers are measured using various techniques including laser altimetry, which in this study was led by Brian Menounos to assess glacier change in western North America
- A combination of field measurements and remote sensing methods allow for broader coverage of glaciers
- The Glacial Mass Balance Intercomparison Exercise integrates multiple measurement techniques to identify trends in how glaciers change across different regions
This graph shows a cumulative glacier mass loss of 6,542 billion tonnes and an average mass loss of 273 billion tonnes each year from 2000 to 2023
The loss of glacier mass:
- Canada’s glacier mass loss accounts for about one-quarter of the total observed mass loss of glaciers globally. This significant mass loss is occurring particularly in the Eastern Canadian Arctic
- Western Canadian glaciers are also shrinking. They have lost about 23 percent of their volume since the year 2000 — increasing drought risks and reducing water availability in key watersheds
- This mass loss is accelerating due to rising global temperatures, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and improved predictive models.
Implications and next steps:
- Glacier mass loss impacts water resources, ecosystems and sea levels
- Improved monitoring provides critical data needed to forecast future glacier loss and its impacts on Canadians
- Researchers like Brian and the glaciology team at the Geological Survey of Canada are continuing to innovate and further advance monitoring technologies, including machine learning and real-time sensors, to enhance glacier tracking
“Here in Canada, we’re developing novel approaches to improve our glacier monitoring ability.... Given the extensive nature of glaciers in Canada and the implications of glacier loss, what’s needed is an ‘all-hands-on-deck' approach to monitoring.” — Brian Menounos
For more information on this research, contact NRCan’s science communications team.
Learn more:
Community estimates of global glacier mass changes from 2000 to 2023
2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation | International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation