Its average temperature has increased nearly 5 degrees (F) in the last half century. Floating ice shelves account for about 11% of the area of the continent, and while the loss of these ice shelves does not increase sea level, they effectively act as corks to hold back glaciers. Significant melting of Antarctica's glaciers -- which have been moving more rapidly toward the sea -- could increase sea levels as much as 20 feet worldwide.
The Antarctic Peninsula, which juts toward South America and is one of only two masses of land on the continent outside the Antarctic Circle, has been warming markedly. Vast portions of its Wilkins Ice Shelf disintegrated in 2008 and 2009 after 1,500 years of stability.
Effects of Global …show more content…
While such a rise does not seem a significant one, its effects could be devastating -- displacing more than 100 million people in low-lying coastal areas around the world. Accompanying this rise in sea level would be increased winter temperatures and warmer hot spells, increased rainfall and flooding, and overall unpredictable shifting of temperature and rainfall patterns that could wreak havoc with agriculture, natural ecosystems and other daunting effects.
Some facts listed below will help to understand the serious consequence of the global warming in Antarctica. These are: • Since 1974 seven gigantic ice shelves have got reduced in area by 13,500 square kilometers. • Due to severe global warming in Antarctica, the Larsen B ice shelf has lost 3,250 square kilometers into the ocean. • The global warming has also resulted in increased rainfall in some parts of Antarctica. • The global warming in Antarctica has also resulted in the death of various animals like the