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Ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica over 47 years raises coastal risk
Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica have lost 12.5 trillion tons of ice since 1979. The study found that the melting has raised global sea levels by approximately 3.1 centimeters and increased the risk of flooding in coastal areas.
Ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica has contributed to an approximately 3.1-centimeter rise in global sea levels since 1979. According to a study published in the scientific journal Scientific Data, the world's two largest ice sheets lost a combined 12.5 trillion tons of ice over the 47-year period.
The melting of this amount of ice is equivalent to approximately 11.3 quadrillion liters of water. The researchers said the resulting volume of water would be enough to cover the territory of the United States with a layer approximately 1.5 meters thick.
The study brought together data from 27 observation satellites and the findings of 45 independent scientific studies to assess changes in Greenland and Antarctica.
Ocean waters are accelerating the melting
According to the study's findings, approximately four-fifths of the ice loss is linked to ocean waters that are much warmer than to rising air temperatures. These waters from the oceans are eroding the ice sheets from both below and their edges.
The flow of meltwater into the oceans, together with other climate factors, is accelerating the rise in sea levels. This change is increasing the risk of flooding in coastal areas.
Ice sheets may continue shrinking for decades
Eric Rignot, a researcher at the University of California, said the shrinking of the ice sheets was increasing the vulnerability of coastal areas. Ines Otosaka, a co-author of the study from Northumbria University, said that even a 1-centimeter rise in sea levels significantly increases the risk of flooding for millions of people.
Researcher Andrew Shepherd said the ice sheets had remained relatively stable in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, while the most pronounced acceleration in melting began in the 2010s.
Shepherd said changes in the ice masses lagged behind global warming and that the shrinking of the glaciers could continue for decades even if the planet's temperature stabilized.
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