What is the main cause of global sea level rise?

Melting glaciers and ice sheets. Melting land ice adds extra water to the oceans, raising sea level.

Which two regions contain most of Earth's freshwater ice?

Greenland and Antarctica. Greenland and Antarctica hold the vast majority of Earth's land ice.

Why does melting sea ice not raise sea level much?

It is already floating. Floating ice already displaces its volume in water, so melting changes little.

What happens to Earth's gravity near a melting ice sheet?

It slightly weakens. Loss of mass reduces the local gravitational pull.

What does the term “gravity’s ripple” refer to in climate science?

Redistribution of ocean water due to changing gravity. As ice mass changes, gravity changes and ocean water redistributes.

Which areas may see sea levels fall slightly when nearby ice sheets melt?

Areas near the melting ice. Reduced local gravity pulls less water toward that region.

Which gas is the biggest contributor to human-caused global warming?

Carbon dioxide. CO₂ traps heat and is the main driver of recent warming.

What happens to seawater as it warms?

It expands. Thermal expansion increases ocean volume and raises sea level.

Which places are most at risk from sea level rise?

Coastal cities. Low-lying coastal areas face flooding and erosion.

If all ice in Greenland melted, global sea level would rise by about?

7 meters. Greenland alone contains enough ice to raise seas ~7 m.

Why does melting in Antarctica affect sea levels worldwide?

Oceans are connected. Added water spreads through the connected global ocean.

What is thermal expansion?

Water increases in volume when heated. Warm water takes up more space, contributing to sea level rise.

Which ice contributes most to long-term sea level rise?

Land ice sheets. Only land ice adds new water to the ocean.

What is the biggest long-term danger of rising sea levels?

Permanent coastal flooding. Some low-lying regions may become uninhabitable.

Why does sea level not rise evenly everywhere?

Gravity, Earth's rotation, and currents redistribute water. Regional factors cause uneven sea level change.

Which measurement best tracks global mean sea level?

Satellite altimetry. Satellites measure sea surface height globally with high precision.

What term describes the total loss of ice mass from glaciers?

Ice mass balance. Mass balance compares gains and losses of ice over time.

Why does melting land ice raise sea level more than melting sea ice?

It adds new water to the ocean. Land ice contributes additional water that was not previously in the ocean.

What is albedo in the context of ice and climate?

Reflectivity of a surface. Ice reflects sunlight; losing it increases heat absorption.

Which process can temporarily store water on land and slightly slow sea level rise?

Reservoir storage. Human-made reservoirs can store water that would otherwise be in the ocean.

What is a major consequence of rising sea levels for groundwater near coasts?

Saltwater intrusion. Seawater can contaminate freshwater aquifers.

Which current helps redistribute heat and influences regional sea level patterns?

Ocean currents like the Gulf Stream. Large-scale currents affect sea surface height and heat distribution.

What is one expected impact of higher sea levels on storms?

Storm surges become more damaging. Higher baseline sea levels increase flooding during storms.

Why is monitoring ice sheets critical for future projections?

They contain enough ice to raise seas by many meters. Greenland and Antarctica dominate long-term sea level potential.

Which statement best summarizes the link between gravity and sea level change?

Changing ice mass alters gravity and redistributes ocean water. Mass loss changes gravity fields, shifting where water piles up.

QuizKnowledge

Gravity's Ripple: The Far-Reaching Effects of Melting Ice

25-question quiz on why melting ice in one region causes non-uniform sea level rise globally, focusing on gravity and geoid changes.

25 Questions•20 Mins•Hard