Antarctica is rising from the ocean
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Antarctica - Level 4
Antarctica is rising because of a phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. Huge volumes of ice have melted from the continent's glaciers, making it lighter. This means it is slowly rising. The melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise. A geologist wrote: "Measurements show that the…Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in decades, rather than over thousands of years."
Researchers used 3D models to estimate rising sea levels. They could rise by 19.5 meters by 2500. A glaciologist wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars…understanding the domino effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She wrote about "the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their…vulnerability to sea-level rise is high."
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Antarctica - Level 5
Antarctica is rising because of a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. A huge volume of ice has melted from the continent's glaciers. This has made it lighter. This consequently means it is slowly rising. The melting glaciers are causing sea levels around the globe to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in decades, rather than over thousands of years."
Researchers used 3D modelling to ascertain how rising sea levels could affect Earth. Levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. Glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars,…understanding the domino effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added: "This finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level rise is high."
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Antarctica - Level 6
The continent of Antarctica is rising. It is due to a geological phenomenon called post-glacial uplift. It will have huge consequences for the whole of Earth. An astronomical volume of ice has melted from Antarctica's glaciers. This has made the continent lighter. This consequently means it is slowly rising. The melting glacial water is causing sea levels around the globe to rise. Geologist Terry Wilson from Ohio State University wrote: "Our measurements show that the solid earth that forms the base of the Antarctic ice sheet is changing shape surprisingly quickly. The land uplift from reduced ice on the surface is happening in decades, rather than over thousands of years."
Researchers used 3D modelling in an attempt to ascertain how rising sea levels could impact Earth. The team said levels could rise between 1.7 meters to 19.5 meters by 2500. McGill University glaciologist Natalya Gomez wrote: "With nearly 700 million people living in coastal areas, and the potential cost of sea-level rise reaching trillions of dollars by the end of the century, understanding the domino effect of Antarctic ice melt is crucial." She added that post-glacial uplift will unfairly affect countries differently. She said: "This finding highlights the climate injustice toward nations whose emissions are low, while their exposure and vulnerability to sea-level rise is high."
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25 online activities | 27-page printable | 2-page mini-lesson