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To: goat granny

Here’s what I found on a search from one of the first sites that came up. Seems to sound about right from other things I recall:

The main ice covered landmass is Antarctica at the South Pole, with about 90 percent of the world’s ice (and 70 percent of its fresh water). Antarctica is covered with ice an average of 2,133 meters (7,000 feet) thick. If all of the Antarctic ice melted, sea levels around the world would rise about 61 meters (200 feet). But the average temperature in Antarctica is -37°C, so the ice there is in no danger of melting. In fact in most parts of the continent it never gets above freezing.

At the other end of the world, the North Pole, the ice is not nearly as thick as at the South Pole. The ice floats on the Arctic Ocean. If it melted sea levels would not be affecte­d.

There is a significant amount of ice covering Greenland, which would add another 7 meters (20 feet) to the oceans if it melted. Because Greenland is closer to the equator than Antarctica, the temperatures there are higher, so the ice is more likely to melt.

But there might be a less dramatic reason than polar ice melting for the higher ocean level — the higher temperature of the water. Water is most dense at 4 degrees Celsius. Above and below this temperature, the density of water decreases (the same weight of water occupies a bigger space). So as the overall temperature of the water increases it naturally expands a little bit making the oceans rise.


80 posted on 04/27/2010 1:13:07 AM PDT by 21twelve ( UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES MY ARSE: "..now begin the work of remaking America."-Obama, 1/20/09)
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To: 21twelve
Thank you for the information, it was quite interesting...its like greenland would do more damage if melted that I get from your research..

There is also much snow and ice on mountain tops, that might factor into melting also? I think I'll let the young folks worry my brain is already tired from thinking. but its 4:30am where I am at...should go to bed and dream of greenland staying ice bound....:O)

81 posted on 04/27/2010 1:31:17 AM PDT by goat granny
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