Antarctica holds nine times the amount of ice as Greenland, the melting of which is an important contribution to current sea-level rise. Melting of the west Antarctic Ice Sheet alone would cause sea levels to rise by an estimated 3.3 metres. Scientists are studying the ice sheet closely, as it is believed to be unstable, because much of it is found below sea level. Captions: ©© Unep. Photo source: ©© Potomo
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In recent decades, Pine Island Glacier’s rapid retreat raised fears that the glacier could “collapse,” freeing the ice sheet it buffers to flow even more rapidly into the southern seas. The West Antarctic Ice contributes 0.15 to 0.30 millimeters per year to sea level rise.
The big question is whether the hasty retreat is a recent change, caused by climate change, or a more long-term phenomenon…
