Perhaps I’m not a scientist but doesn’t ice expand when it’s frozen and then takes up less volume when it melts, if that’s true why wouldn’t ocean levels go down instead of up if that glacier melts
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You are correct, but for a few problems. If I am not mistaken, the volume different is a few percent. It is not substantial. The main problem is that the glacier is currently mostly above the waterline, due to it’s connection to the antarctic continent. If it gets undermined and then falls in, 90%+ of it’s volume will be added to the sea (because ice has the higher volume, iceberg tips are above water due to buoyancy), and then as it melts all of the volume is added
“You are correct, but for a few problems. If I am not mistaken, the volume different is a few percent. It is not substantial. The main problem is that the glacier is currently mostly above the waterline, due to it’s connection to the antarctic continent. If it gets undermined and then falls in, 90%+ of it’s volume will be added to the sea (because ice has the higher volume, iceberg tips are above water due to buoyancy), and then as it melts all of the volume is added”
He is incorrect. You are partially correct.
“iceberg tips are above water due to buoyancy), and then as it melts all of the volume is added””
All the MASS is added.
The floating iceberg displaces an amount of water equal to the water in the iceberg so as it melts no sea level change.
Excusing small salinity effects.
That is true. However, glaciers only grow from the accumulation of snowfall which comes from the constant evaporation of the water in the oceans.
For what it's worth, there are now approx. 138 undersea volcanoes along the western Antarctica with the undersea current which warms the water surrounding the continent..