the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
| 23 Feb 2026
Geophysics in Antarctica: Achievements, Current Capabilities, and Future Directions
Abstract. The Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) plays a major role in the global climate, providing a natural laboratory to study the processes that interlink the cryosphere, solid Earth, atmosphere, and hydrosphere. Through its ongoing mass loss, the AIS currently contributes to global-mean sea-level rise at a rate of 0.4 mm/a. However, its impact on and feedback with climate and the details associated with sea-level changes are still poorly understood. To generate more reliable projections for the future, there is an urgent need to substantially improve our knowledge of the solid-Earth properties and subsequent response to ice-mass variations in space and time. This issue has been identified as a key question by the international community, strongly supported by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).
We review how state-of-the-art Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and seismic networks in Antarctica, in combination with further ground-based, airborne and satellite-based geophysical measurements, have been used to significantly advance our understanding of solid-Earth processes and their impact on the cryosphere. Based on these recent achievements, a vision is articulated for science-driven, multidisciplinary geophysical observations and corresponding technological developments. Future research activities should be coordinated to answer the most urgent science questions. For example, how can we consistently test and model, respectively, a realistic mantle rheology, including lateral inhomogeneities and transient relaxation, together with AIS mass changes on all time scales since the last glacial maximum, including Holocene retreat and re-advance? What processes and boundary conditions should coupled ice-sheet / gravity-rotation-deformation models include in order to reflect realistically the complex interaction between the solid Earth, ice sheet and ocean? Long-term observations and improved modelling must be combined to develop precise and reliable projections for Antarctica’s future mass change and associated contribution to sea-level change at both regional and global scales.
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Status: open (until 15 Apr 2026)
- CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-6370', Pavel G. Talalay, 17 Mar 2026 reply
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CC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-6370', Karsten Gohl, 29 Mar 2026
reply
This paper is an exzellent review and summary of the present geophysical and geodetic state of the Antarctic continent. The authors have done a fantastic job in gathering a vast amount of recent observational data mostly from passive source seismology to GNSS networks to synthesize the continent-wide state of lithosheric/crustal motion in relationship to glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). The paper is well written and clearly organized. However, I have one general issue which should be addressed:
The title is somewhat misleading, because it infers that the paper includes all geophysical aspects of Antarctica. But it does not. For instance, the vast amount of studies using offshore and some onshore/on-ice seismic profiling for imaging and analysing preglacial and glacial-marine sedimentation as well as tectonic structures is not mentioned. Interpretational studies using both regional and continent-wide magnetic and gravity survey grids for delineation of major tectonic sutures is also not included. The lack of these data is not a problem, because their inclusion would exceed the scope of this paper. I therefore suggest to change the title to ‘The present geophysical state of Antarctica: Achievements, current capabilities, and future directions‘ to better indicate that the paper primarily deals with current solid earth conditions and their impact on the cryosphere.
Also, Chapter 2.2.1 should be slightly changed to ‘Present plate motion and tectonic processes‘ to indicate that it is not about the plate motion and tectonic history.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6370-CC2 -
RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-6370', Douglas Wiens, 29 Mar 2026
reply
This paper provides a valuable compilation of recent advances and emerging opportunities in Antarctic geophysics, focusing on the interactions between the solid Earth and the ice sheets. It is well written and benefits from contributions by a broad range of researchers working on this and related topics. The overview of the development of GNSS and seismic observations in Antarctica, as well as the summary of key scientific achievements, is thorough and well supported by extensive references. This background will be especially useful for students and new investigators entering the field. The recommendations section defines a well-thought-out strategy for future progress, particularly in advancing our understanding glacial isostatic adjustment in Antarctica. Hopefully the recommendations in this document and the call for international cooperation will be fruitful in generating important international projects in the upcoming International Polar Year. I strongly support publication of this paper with minor revisions.
- I agree with several earlier comments that the title may convey an overly broad impression of what is covered in this paper. Perhaps add “solid Earth” before geophysics in the title? Then in the introduction, perhaps at the end of the first paragraph, state something like “In this paper, we review the results of geophysical observations made by ground-based networks in Antarctica, with a particular emphasis on applications to solid Earth -ice sheet interactions, and do not attempt to cover the entire range of Antarctic geophysical investigations”.
- Figures 3 and 4 are an important part of this paper, and will be highly useful to readers and future researchers. However, they should be improved. The northern Antarctic Peninsula and Ross Island regions have many stations that are difficult to see, as they plot on top of each other. Magnified insets for these regions would allow these areas to be shown properly. Also, some seismic stations are shown on Figure 4 and but not on Figure 3 (such as the stations near Dome C), which is confusing.
- For the history of portable seismology in Antarctica, it would be worth referencing the SEPA project (1997-1999), which deployed temporary broadband seismic stations on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands for several years (https://www.fdsn.org/networks/detail/XB_1997/).
- Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and dense nodal seismograph deployments have a lot of potential for new, detailed studies of cryospheric processes. This should be discussed in more detail in section 3.1.5
- Sections 3.1.6 (seismic wavefields) and 3.1.7 (general circulation models) are not well connected to other discussions and lend this section of the paper a “laundry list” feeling. They should be improved (focused?) or discarded.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-6370-RC1
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The preprint aims to provide a comprehensive overview of geophysical research in Antarctica, but there are several aspects that are not covered. For instance, borehole geophysical studies are not mentioned at all, despite their importance. Borehole geophysics can be divided into two categories: borehole logging (Talalay PG, Zhang N, Fan X, Yazhou Li et al. (2026). Borehole geophysical studies in glaciers. Part I: Borehole logging, Earth-Science Reviews 273, 105357) and long-term in-situ observatories (paper is preparation). Both studies provide valuable on-site data on the physical and structural properties of natural snow, ice, and bedrock around the borehole. These local data can be used to confirm large-scale modeling and remote sensing studies.