Greenland Ice Sheet Case Study

Question 1

Facts about Greenland Ice Sheet

Answer 1

• 2nd largest ice body in the world, contains 8% of total global freshwater
• Almost 2,400km long, greatest width of 1,100km
• Generally 2km thick, 3km at highest point
• If 2,850,000 cubic kilometres of ice melted, a projected global sea level rise of 7 metres

Question 2

Albedo

Answer 2

• Earlier in the year melting leads albedo rate to reduce
• Albedo is the reflectivity of the ice surface. As albedo rates are reduced, more solar radiation is absorbed, increasing ice melt

Question 3

Impacts on sea level

Answer 3

• Global sea levels will rise
• Since 1/3 of the world’s population lives on or near the coast, resulting in billions of potential environmental refugees
• This could cause economic, social and political issues
• Coastal land-use (e.g operation of coastal ports) will be affected