Independent Research Independent Research ProjectProject

Antarctica’s Ice Melting ProblemAntarctica’s Ice Melting Problem

Student: Jurem OrtencioStudent: Jurem OrtencioTeacher: Mrs PereraTeacher: Mrs Perera

Class: 8HClass: 8HSubject: HumanitiesSubject: Humanities

Antarctica In GeneralAntarctica In General

Antarctica is situated over the South Pole. It’s Antarctica is situated over the South Pole. It’s shape is kind of circular with part of the shape is kind of circular with part of the Antarctic Peninsula stretching towards Antarctic Peninsula stretching towards South America. Two very large indentations South America. Two very large indentations are the Ross and Weddell seas and their ice are the Ross and Weddell seas and their ice shelves. The total surface area is about shelves. The total surface area is about 14.2 million sq km. In the winter Antarctica 14.2 million sq km. In the winter Antarctica doubles in size due to the sea ice that doubles in size due to the sea ice that forms around the coasts. The true forms around the coasts. The true boundary of Antarctica is not the coastline boundary of Antarctica is not the coastline of the continent itself or the outlying of the continent itself or the outlying islands, but the Antarctic Convergence. islands, but the Antarctic Convergence.

My Problem On AntarcticaMy Problem On Antarctica

The ice caps in Antarctica are melting The ice caps in Antarctica are melting faster than scientists had first thought. faster than scientists had first thought. Melting in the Antarctic Peninsula Melting in the Antarctic Peninsula removes sea ice that once held back the removes sea ice that once held back the movement of glaciers. As a result, movement of glaciers. As a result, glaciers flow into the ocean up to six glaciers flow into the ocean up to six times faster than before. If ice continues times faster than before. If ice continues to melt then sea levels will rise to melt then sea levels will rise approximately 11-77cm’s.approximately 11-77cm’s.

What’s Causing This What’s Causing This Problem?Problem?

Antarctica’s Ice Caps are melting Antarctica’s Ice Caps are melting because of Global Warming and because of Global Warming and natural causes. Scientists believe the natural causes. Scientists believe the ice is mostly melting by natural ice is mostly melting by natural cause but global warming has cause but global warming has increased the melting rate. Several increased the melting rate. Several major sections of Antarctica have major sections of Antarctica have already melted. already melted.

InformationInformation

A giant ice shelf the size of Scotland is melting rapidly in the A giant ice shelf the size of Scotland is melting rapidly in the Antarctic, scientists have warned today. Antarctic, scientists have warned today.

Two sections of the Larsen ice shelf collapsed in 1995 and Two sections of the Larsen ice shelf collapsed in 1995 and 2002. Now satellite measurements have confirmed that it 2002. Now satellite measurements have confirmed that it has thinned by as much as 18 metres more than usual in has thinned by as much as 18 metres more than usual in the past decade, because of a warmer ocean. the past decade, because of a warmer ocean.

The report comes a day after a University College London The report comes a day after a University College London report in the journal Nature confirmed a 40% thinning of report in the journal Nature confirmed a 40% thinning of the ice in the Arctic Ocean in the past 30 years. the ice in the Arctic Ocean in the past 30 years.

The shelf covers approximately 27,000 sq miles and is on The shelf covers approximately 27,000 sq miles and is on average 300 metres deep. Its faster rate of melting is average 300 metres deep. Its faster rate of melting is releasing an extra 21bn tonnes of icy water into the oceans releasing an extra 21bn tonnes of icy water into the oceans each year. This is equivalent to eight times the annual flow each year. This is equivalent to eight times the annual flow of the river Thames. of the river Thames.

Warmer oceans, as well as warmer air, are now thought to Warmer oceans, as well as warmer air, are now thought to play an important part in the process.play an important part in the process.