Global Glacier Loss Accelerates Sea Level Rise
A study published in Nature reveals that the melting of glaciers has contributed nearly 2 cm to the global rise in sea levels since the beginning of the 21st century.
Other Key Findings:
- Massive Ice Loss: Glaciers have lost approximately 270 billion tonnes of ice annually over the past 25 years (2000-2023).
- Major Contributors to Glacier Mass Loss: The largest contributors include Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, peripheral glaciers in Greenland, and the Southern Andes.
About Sea-Level Rise
Definition: Sea level rise refers to the increase in the ocean's surface height relative to the land in a specific location.
Two Main Causes of Sea-Level Rise:
- Glacial and Ice Sheet Melting: Rising global temperatures cause glaciers and ice sheets to lose mass.
- Thermal Expansion: As ocean temperatures rise, seawater expands, leading to an increase in volume.
Consequences of Sea-Level Rise:
- Storm Surges and Natural Disasters: Higher sea levels intensify storm surges and coastal flooding.
- Human Settlements: 15% of the global population lives within 10 km of a water body, making them highly vulnerable.
- Freshwater Contamination: Rising seas can contaminate freshwater supplies, impacting agriculture and drinking water sources.
- Coastal Flooding: Low-lying areas are increasingly threatened, with 630 million people at risk of annual flooding by 2100.
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