What is the effect on sea level when glaciers and ice sheets melt?

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Study for the Water, Air, Energy, and Waste Management for Environmental Sustainability Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What is the effect on sea level when glaciers and ice sheets melt?

Explanation:
Melting glaciers and ice sheets are land-based ice. When they melt, the water runs into the oceans, adding more water to the global ocean. That extra water increases the volume of the oceans, so the average sea level rises. In contrast, melting sea ice (which is already floating on the ocean) doesn’t significantly change sea level because it was displacing the same amount of water as its meltwater. So the overall effect of melting land-based ice is a rise in sea level.

Melting glaciers and ice sheets are land-based ice. When they melt, the water runs into the oceans, adding more water to the global ocean. That extra water increases the volume of the oceans, so the average sea level rises. In contrast, melting sea ice (which is already floating on the ocean) doesn’t significantly change sea level because it was displacing the same amount of water as its meltwater. So the overall effect of melting land-based ice is a rise in sea level.

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