One effect of global warming is the melting of the Antarctic ice sheet. The following data are available for the Antarctic ice sheet and the Earth's oceans:
Area of ice sheet = 1 x 10^6 km^2
Average thickness of ice = 1.5 x 10^3 m
Density of ice = 920 kg/m^3
Density of water = 1000 kg/m^3
Area of Earth's ocean = 5.8 x 10^8 km^2
Using the data, determine the mass of the Antarctic ice:
Mass of Antarctic ice = (Area of ice sheet) x (Average thickness of ice) x (Density of ice)
= (1 x 10^6 km^2) x (1.5 x 10^3 m) x (920 kg/m^3)
= 1.38 x 10^15 kg
To calculate the change in mean sea level if all the Antarctic ice sheets were to melt and flow into the oceans:
Change in mean sea level = (Mass of Antarctic ice) / (Area of Earth's ocean)
= (1.38 x 10^15 kg) / (5.8 x 10^8 km^2)
= 2.38 x 10^6 m