Question

The melting ice of Antarctica and
Greenland changes the oceans in more
than one way. Describe any changes

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Answer 1

Answer:

Melting land ice, like mountain glaciers and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, will change the Earth’s rotation only if the meltwater flows into the oceans. If the meltwater remains close to its source (by being trapped in a glacier lake, for example), then there is no net movement of mass away from the glacier or ice sheet, and the Earth’s rotation won’t change. But if the meltwater flows into the oceans and is dispersed, then there is a net movement of mass and the Earth’s rotation will change. For example, if the Greenland ice sheet were to completely melt and the meltwater were to completely flow into the oceans, then global sea level would rise by about seven meters (23 feet) and the Earth would rotate more slowly, with the length of the day becoming longer than it is today, by about two milliseconds.

Answer 2

Answer:

When the land ice melts, additional water is added into the ocean, causing the sea level to rise. The intensity of sea level rise depends on the quantity of melt occurring. For example, if the entire West Antarctic ice sheet melted, the sea level would increase by 5 meters.