Rising Waters: Out-of-Balance Ice Sheets

The video explains the significance of Greenland and Antarctica in global sea level rise due to their vast glacial ice. It highlights the potential catastrophic impact of ice melting, even partially, on coastal communities. The video describes the melting process in Greenland, where warm air and ocean water contribute to glacier melting and calving. It also discusses the unique challenges in Antarctica, particularly in West Antarctica, where the bedrock is below sea level, making it more susceptible to melting from warm ocean water. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding these processes to predict future sea level changes.

What is the potential global impact if all the ice in Greenland and Antarctica were to melt?

• Sea levels would decrease significantly.

• Sea levels would rise by nearly 215 feet.

• The ice would refreeze quickly.

• There would be no significant change in sea levels.

What is a characteristic of a healthy glacier?

• It accumulates the same amount of snowfall as it loses.

• It accumulates more snowfall than it loses.

• It loses more ice than it accumulates.

• It does not accumulate any snowfall.

How does meltwater affect the glacier in Greenland?

• It freezes at the surface.

• It drills holes through the ice and causes further melting.

• It evaporates quickly.

• It remains stagnant on the surface.

What makes West Antarctica particularly vulnerable to ice melting?

• It has no ice sheets.

• It is located in a warmer climate zone.

• Its bedrock is above sea level.

• Its bedrock is below sea level, allowing warm water to seep in.

What is the effect of warm water on the ice shelves in Antarctica?

• It causes the ice shelves to thicken.

• It has no effect on the ice shelves.

• It causes the ice shelves to thin and break off.

• It freezes the ice shelves.