4 ms·
> If we look at the global picture, there are two major reasons why sea levels are rising. One is that the ocean is warming, and it needs more space and expand
by donatj 4y ago
> If we look at the global picture, there are two major reasons why sea levels are rising. One is that the ocean is warming, and it needs more space and expands.
My understanding is that water expands quite a bit less in the range between 32°F and 212°F than it does when it freezes.
It seems like floating ice melting and decreasing in volume 9% is notably more significant than the volume increase from a couple degree temperature increase. There also certainly way more liquid water than solid to contend with.
I'd be curious to know the effect of melting ice decreasing the volume versus the temperature rising increasing the volume.
- stochtastic 4y agoArchimedes would like a word. There are some small effects due mostly to salinity differences, but sea ice isn't a major contributor because it is already floating and thus displacing an equivalent volume of water: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise#cite_ref-113 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_level_rise#cite_ref-113
- hinkley 4y agoSea ice also reflects light. Remove the ice and the water beneath heats up. That's part of the runaway effect we are freaked out about.