Ocean Flashcard

Front

How much of the additional energy trapped by human-produced greenhouse gases has been absorbed by the ocean?

Back

90%

Front

When water warms it also:

Back

expands

Front

Which geologic process affects the mean sea level for a specific location?

Back

Postglacial rebound

Front

On average, how much has global sea level risen from 1901-2010?

Back

7.5 inches

Front

Three factors contributing to global sea level rise.

Back

Land-based glacier melt, Global ocean warming, Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet melt

Front

In the past few decades, global mean sea level rise has _____ relative to the twentieth century average.

Back

Accelerated

Front

What is a large uncertainty for 21st century mean sea level rise? Options: Dynamic ice sheet behavior, Ocean heat uptake, Ocean carbon dioxide uptake, Sea ice melt

Back

Dynamic ice sheet behavior

Front

Which ice sheet is of greatest concern for those worried about catastrophic sea level rise?

Back

West Antarctic ice sheet

Front

If sea levels continue to rise, what could happen to low-lying island nations on coral atolls such as the Maldives and Tuvalu?

Back

Their land could become entirely uninhabitable

Front

Why are the southeast Florida coast and Florida Keys at particular risk from modest sea level rise?

Back

Building barriers against sea level rise is difficult because seawater will seep through the limestone that everything is built on.