Thread: A question about polar ice caps

Originally Posted by blade5x

To the OP:

Some areas of Antarctica are covered with an ice sheet 3 miles thick. That is a lot of potential water. Greenland as well holds an ice sheet similar. And Artic ice is floating on the ocean, though I don't know if this would cause and increase in water level.

well, i assume those 3 miles extend underwater, right? All that water should be displaced, or is there some concept i dont understand? Even the ice above sea level should still contribute to the displacement.

By far the main factor in sea rise is temperature rise causing water to become less dense. The effects of ice melt are minimal.

Originally Posted by Xei

By far the main factor in sea rise is temperature rise causing water to become less dense. The effects of ice melt are minimal.

good. atleast that makes scientific sense.

Another area that has to be taken into account is the rapid melting of the glaciers, which are already on land.
This would add directly to the sea levels.

Originally Posted by Howie

Another area that has to be taken into account is the rapid melting of the glaciers, which are already on land.
This would add directly to the sea levels.

yea dude, but think how big and deep the oceans are. I wonder how many trillions of gallons of water it would take to raise the sea level 1 inch.