Scientists have recently observed a surprising rise in Antarctic glacier ice, reversing years of decline. According to a study by researchers at Tongji University using data from the GRACE and GRACE-FO satellites, Antarctica's ice sheet gained approximately 108 billion tons of ice annually between 2021 and 2023.

This is a significant change after decades of ice loss - from 2011 to 2020, the continent lost around 142 billion tons yearly due to accelerated melting in West and parts of East Antarctica.

Before that, between 2002 and 2010, the annual loss was about 74 billion tons. The recent increase is mainly attributed to exceptionally heavy snowfall over Antarctica. However, this positive trend is limited to Antarctica, as the Arctic continues to suffer from severe ice loss, with recent data showing the lowest-ever winter sea ice coverage.

While the Antarctic ice gain offers a temporary respite, scientists warn that global climate change still poses major threats to polar regions and overall sea-level rise.