Nature Geoscience Report: Rapid Ice Melt To Cause Rise In Global Sea Level Up To 0.20 Inch

September 1, 2008 12:18 p.m. EST

Halifax, Nova Scotia (AHN) - The rapid melting of the Greenland ice sheet could raise global sea levels three times over than previous estimates, according to a study published Sunday in the Nature Geoscience journal.

The authors of the report estimated the ice melt will increase global sea levels by up to 0.20 inch (5 millimeters) annually. Anders Carlson, a geologist from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told the Canadian Press, "We're showing that the geologic record shows that in the past, ice sheets have melted much faster than we're predicting at the end of this century."

Geologic information was used by a team of researchers, scientists from NASA and the University of British Columbia to analyze the Laurentide ice sheet, the last largest ice dome to cover a majority portion of the northern hemisphere.

Another study released last week by the National Snow and Ice Data Center said the sea ice of Arctic Ocean has melted to its second lowest minimum since scientists started monitoring its level. Since there are still several weeks left in the melt season, there is a chance the ice would diminish below the record low set in 2007, indicating the devastating effects of global warming.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center, based at the University of Colorado, said that the ice melted recorded on Aug. 25 was below the 2005 minimum of over 3.1 million square miles (5 million square kilometers) established on Sept. 21, 2005. The center said it will release exact figures by Wednesday.

Commenting on the findings, Deborah Wlliams, former Interior Department special assistant for Alaska, said it was not surprising but alarming because it was a relatively cool summer, yet the second lowest minimum ice melt recorded showed the profound impact of global warming on the ice sheets of the world.