Satellite-observed acceleration of glacier velocity on the Antarctic Peninsula in response to climate warming

• Summer velocities increased by an average of 6.2 ± 5.9% across the entire Antarctic Peninsula. Summer acceleration was strongest in the Larsen C region. Western AP glaciers averaged a 4.2% increase, with the fastest exceeding 12.5%. • The notable acceleration since 2015 continues an increasing trend in the early 21st century, underscoring an intensifying climate response. • Glacier velocity changes in response to climate warming exhibit marked regional differences. The dominant drivers of acceleration vary across regions, primarily including ocean warming, increased surface air temperature, and enhanced surface melting. The Antarctic Peninsula (AP) is experiencing rapid mass losses due to global warming in recent decades. Understanding high-resolution seasonal ice speed variability is essential for uncovering the spatiotemporal dynamics of glaciers and ice shelves and their response to ongoing climate change. Here, we present Sentinel-1 satellite-based observations of seasonal flow velocity changes in 581 glaciers on the AP during the period 2018–2023. We find that the glacier surface velocities exhibit an acceleration since the 21st century, with this trend intensifying substantially in recent years. Summer velocity acceleration was particularly pronounced in 2018–2023, with an average increase of 6.22 ± 5.90 % while annual speed increased by > 1.0 %. The summer acceleration of glacier flow was most notable on the Larsen Ice Shelf. Western AP glaciers showed higher velocities and experienced more rapid acceleration than those in the eastern. These changes are primarily driven by warming ocean waters and intensified surface melt. As climate warming persists, the observed acceleration of glacier flow and associated ice shelf mass loss on the AP are projected to persist, depending on the rate and magnitude of future forcing.