Terrestrial water storage

Satellite gravimetry is a remote-sensing-based method (used by GRACE and GRACE-FOsatellites) that is capable of observing all large-scale mass changes on and below the Earth’ssurface. This includes, in particular, those caused by water storage changes, including in surfacewater, soil moisture, groundwater, as well as snow and ice. Terrestrial water storage (TWS),defined as the sum of all these storage compartments, is expressed as an anomaly relative toits long-term mean in equivalent water heights in centimetres as an area-averaged height ofthe water column over the area being considered. This chapter provides results of the TWSanomaly in the year 2023 obtained from the GRACE/GRACE-FO-based product.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Clean Water and Sanitation

Climate Action