Antarctic ice melts but not so much

2001/03/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

According to recent studies, the West Antarctic ice sheet appears to have receded more slowly than previously thought, so thawing of the layer does not affect the sea water level as much. In addition, the ice may have started to melt a few years ago (about 8,000), that is, many years after the last ice age. It is estimated that the melting of the ice sheet caused the sea water to rise every year one millimeter.

However, this new research has questioned this fact. Currently, the average thickness of the ice sheet is 2,000 meters, it has the same surface as Mexico and, if it was completely melted, the sea water level would rise 5 meters.