Antarctica coastline part has been losing ice to the ocean for decades longer than expected which can be found a new study of satellite images. 2,000 km of images from west Antarctica’s coastline loss 1,000 km of ice said the researchers.

“We knew that ice had been retreating from this region recently but now, thanks to a wealth of freely available satellite data, we know this has been occurring pervasively along the coastline for almost half a century,” said lead researcher Frazer Christie, doctoral student at the University of Edinburgh’s School of GeoSciences in Britain.

Ice has been consistently retreating along almost the entire coastline of Antarctica`s Bellingshausen sea from the time the satellites began recording. In Antarctica’s coastline, the warmer ocean water is gathering with a rise in air temperatures that are reasons behind the loss suggest the scientists.

Geophysical research letters published a study regarding the team analysed hundreds of satellite photographs of NASA captured ice images. The thickness of ice is monitored and the rates using data taken from satellite and air.

“This study provides important context for our understanding of what is causing ice to retreat around the continent,” said Robert Bingham from School of GeoSciences.

Estimates of global sea level will improve rise caused by ice melt says the researchers that further satellite is needed to track ice sheet progress.

“We now know the change to West Antarctica has been longstanding, and the challenge ahead is to determine what has been causing these ice losses for so long,” Mr. Bingham said.