Effects on water stored as ice and sea levels

Question 1

What is the fastest rate of ice loss occurring?

Answer 1

In the Arctic

This highlights the urgency of climate change impacts in polar regions.

Question 2

What influences sea level rise besides glacial loss?

Answer 2

Thermal expansion

Thermal expansion occurs as water warms and increases in volume.

Question 3

What is the average global temperature increase since 1880?

Answer 3

1°C

This increase is significant in the context of historical temperature records.

Question 4

What is the cryosphere?

Answer 4

Part of the Earth’s surface where water is stored in ice

It includes ice sheets and glaciers.

Question 5

How much glacial loss has NASA estimated annually since 2002?

Answer 5

400 billion metric tons per year

This figure stresses the severity of glacial retreat.

Question 6

What is the estimated annual loss of the Greenland ice sheet?

Answer 6

286 billion metric tons per year

This loss contributes significantly to global sea level rise.

Question 7

What is the approximate percentage loss of Arctic minimum ice cover since 1970?

Answer 7

12.8% per decade

This highlights the dramatic changes in Arctic ice conditions.

Question 8

What has happened to Arctic sea ice volume over the past 40 years?

Answer 8

Lost about 3/4 of its sea ice volume

This reflects both reduced extent and thickness of sea ice.

Question 9

What is Thwaites Glacier known for?

Answer 9

Considered the ‘most important’ or ‘doomsday’ glacier

Thwaites Glacier is located at the northern edge of the West Antarctic I

Its rapid melt contributes significantly to global sea level rise.

Question 10

What percentage of world sea level rise does Thwaites Glacier account for each year?

Answer 10

4%

This emphasizes the glacier’s critical role in global sea level dynamics.

Question 11

What are ice shelves in Antarctica vulnerable to?

Answer 11

Rapid loss due to warmer ocean waters

Ice shelves support ice sheets and their melting can accelerate sea level rise.

Question 12

What is the significance of the Larsen B ice shelf?

Answer 12

It broke up in 2002, showing vulnerability of ice shelves

Its collapse indicates broader trends in glacial melting.

Question 13

True or False: The changes in global temperature today can be explained by natural factors.

Answer 13

False

Current changes are attributed primarily to anthropogenic causes.

Question 14

Fill in the blank: The Antarctic ice loss is concentrated in specific _______.

Answer 14

Locations

This indicates that while ice loss is significant, it is not uniform across the continent.

Question 15

What is a key challenge in forecasting future temperature changes?

Answer 15

Uncertainty in models and feedback loops

This uncertainty complicates predictions regarding climate change impacts.

Question 16

What has been the trend in global temperature rise since 1880?

Answer 16

An almost constant increasing trend

This reflects ongoing global warming despite year-on-year variations.

Question 17

What do sophisticated climate models rely on to forecast future changes?

Answer 17

Historical data, proxy data, and present-day recorded data

These models are essential for understanding potential climate scenarios.

Question 18

What is the relationship between greenhouse gas concentrations and future climate warming?

Answer 18

Future climate warming is certain due to existing concentrations

This indicates that the effects of past emissions are already locked in.

Question 19

What has happened to the thickness of Arctic sea ice over the last 40 years?

Answer 19

Decreased by half on average

This reduction in thickness exacerbates the effects of climate change.