Why is the Antarctic getting bigger?
Why is the Antarctic getting bigger?
Increases in snow and rain falling onto the ocean contribute to the freshening of the ocean surface in the high latitudes of the Southern Ocean. Fresher, colder water freezes more easily, so this mechanism may contribute to the growth in area of Antarctic sea ice.
Did Antarctica used to be bigger?
Even in the late 17th century, after explorers had found that South America and Australia were not part of the fabled “Antarctica”, geographers believed that the continent was much larger than its actual size.
Is Antarctica growing or shrinking?
According to climate models, rising global temperatures should cause sea ice in both regions to shrink. But observations show that ice extent in the Arctic has shrunk faster than models predicted, and in the Antarctic it has been growing slightly.
What would happen if the Antarctica melted?
If all the ice covering Antarctica , Greenland, and in mountain glaciers around the world were to melt, sea level would rise about 70 meters (230 feet). The ocean would cover all the coastal cities. And land area would shrink significantly. But many cities, such as Denver, would survive.
Is there an increase in snowfall in Antarctica?
Increased snowfall in East Antarctica has long been predicted in a warming climate, so this is an important region to continue monitoring.
How much of Antarctica is covered with ice?
( Greg Roberts, The Australian) Antarctica is a continent 98% covered by ice, surrounded by local ocean with much of its surface seasonally covered by sea ice. Reporting on Antarctic ice often fails to recognise the fundamental difference between sea ice and land ice.
Why is Antarctica losing so much sea ice?
The incremental expansion of Antarctica’s sea ice has coincided with some more troubling changes. Four of the continent’s largest glaciers (whose fates are largely unrelated to that of sea ice) are retreating rapidly, and researchers blame increases in ocean temperature.
Is the loss of West Antarctica catching up with the gain of East Antarctica?
“If the losses of the Antarctic Peninsula and parts of West Antarctica continue to increase at the same rate they’ve been increasing for the last two decades, the losses will catch up with the long-term gain in East Antarctica in 20 or 30 years — I don’t think there will be enough snowfall increase to offset these losses.”