NASA | Earth Science Week: Melting Ice, Rising Seas

The video discusses the gradual rise of sea levels due to global warming, highlighting the expansion of ocean water and melting of glaciers and ice sheets as primary causes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding ice sheet dynamics and the potential consequences of rising sea levels on coastal regions and ecosystems. The video also addresses the challenges in predicting future sea level changes and the need for reducing human impact on the planet.

What are the two main reasons for the rising sea levels mentioned in the video?

• Increased evaporation and cloud formation

• Increased rainfall and ocean currents

• Expansion of ocean water and melting ice

• Volcanic activity and tectonic shifts

How do ice sheets and glaciers initially form?

• Due to tectonic movements

• By the accumulation and compression of snowfall

• Through volcanic eruptions

• From ocean water freezing

What percentage of Earth's freshwater is frozen in ice fields?

• 50%

• 2/3

• 1/4

• 90%

Why are the polar regions crucial for the Earth's climate?

• They are the largest landmasses

• They are the primary source of rainfall

• They have the most diverse ecosystems

• They help cool the Earth

What makes predicting future sea level rise challenging?

• Uncertainty about when and how fast ice sheets will break up

• Limited scientific interest

• Inconsistent weather patterns

• Lack of technology