This means that to reach the observed ocean height of 15-20 feet, more or less, during the last warm era, at least another meter's worth must be coming from Antarctica, namely West Antarctica. That Greenland's ice sheet is more stable, and West Antarctica is less stable, than most scientists have been thinking is an idea that co-author Anders Carlson describes as "quite scary."
"West Antarctica is mainly resting below present day sea-level and it thus could have the potential for an "abrupt collapse" where a small forcing leads to a large retreat if ice becomes ungrounded and much of the ice sheet essentially coats into the ocean," Carlson, a UW geologist, told Discovery News.
Greenland's ice, in contrast, is above sea level, so it's melting may be subject to longer-term processes.
"Evidence in Earth's relatively recent past of West Antarctica disappearing raises the possibility that such a collapse could occur in the future from continued global warming," said Carlson.
http://news.discovery.com/earth/a-scary-new-look-at-rising-seas-and-falling-ice-sheets-110728.html
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
