Coastal Enigma
- Jaime David
- May 9
- 1 min read
Scientists are increasingly concerned about a disturbing phenomenon known as "zombie ice," or dead ice, from the Greenland ice sheet that is destined to melt and inevitably raise global sea levels. This ice is no longer receiving replenishment from parent glaciers because it's no longer connected, effectively becoming dead ice. The Greenland ice sheet is losing ice at an alarming rate due to global warming, contributing significantly to rising sea levels. Unlike ice that directly calves into the ocean or melts from the surface, zombie ice is trapped and will eventually melt regardless of future climate actions. A recent study estimated that even under optimistic climate scenarios, approximately 3.3% of Greenland's total ice volume is already destined to melt as zombie ice. This translates to at least 110 trillion tons of ice, which will raise global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches. This amount is more than double previous estimates and highlights the urgency of addressing climate change. While the exact timeline for the melting of zombie ice is uncertain, the researchers emphasize that it's an irreversible process that will continue to contribute to sea level rise for decades or even centuries, impacting coastal communities worldwide. The study serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of current warming trends and the importance of mitigating future ice loss. find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-raise-concern-eerie-phenomenon-103051617.html
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