Tibetan Plateau's Frozen Ground Gains Ice Despite Warming
Over a third of the region's permafrost has gained ice since 2000, driven by a 60% increase in rain and snow, according to a new study published in Science Advances
A surprising trend has been discovered in the Tibetan Plateau, where more than a third of its permafrost has gained ice since 2000, despite the region warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average.
The study, led by Li Dongfeng at Peking University's College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, found that the increase in ice is driven by a rapid rise in precipitation, with yearly rain and snow in the westerly-influenced interior plateau rising by 60% after 2000.
The research team used boreholes to measure ice buried underground, comparing pairs of nearby holes, one drilled before 2000 and one after, to determine the extent of the ice gain. The results showed that the newer holes generally held more ice, mostly near the bottom of the layer that melts each summer.
To further understand the relationship between precipitation and ice gains, the team ran a computer model of heat and water in the soil. The study found that the increase in precipitation may outweigh temperature in driving ground ice evolution, allowing the ice to continue growing even in a warmer climate.
## Why it matters The Tibetan Plateau is a critical region, feeding rivers that supply water to about 2 billion people downstream. The discovery that the permafrost is gaining ice, despite warming, has significant implications for our understanding of the impact of climate change on the region. As the planet continues to warm, it is essential to consider the role of precipitation in shaping the fate of permafrost, rather than just focusing on temperature increases.
The study's findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between climate change, precipitation, and permafrost, and demonstrate the need for further research into the factors driving ground ice evolution. By improving our understanding of these processes, we can better predict the future of the Tibetan Plateau's permafrost and the potential consequences for the people and ecosystems that depend on it.
