Does the ice melting really make the sea level rise?

Question

Does the ice melting really make the sea level rise?

Answer 1

Yes, the ice is at the two poles. Specifically because of the planet's orbit. If you spin any mass in a gravity rich environment it will always collect more matter at the poles. So it's sort of like a 'reserve' of water so to speak. Frozen for tens of thousands of years. Aside from the rising of the tides there could also be life in the ice as well. And don't think that life can't survive in ice, it can, there is some molds and bacteria that thrive in sub zero. So the odds of finding an ancient strain of bacteria are not super high, but it's plausible.

I forget what country has the highest concentration of ice molds. But I have seen photos of it. The ice literally turns red when it begins to thaw from the high concentration of it. I am sure you could find it online if you really wanted to know.

Answer 2

so ive heard

Answer 3

Sea Ice? No. The melting of land based ice would cause a raise in sea levels--melting glaciers are causing some sea level rise. But most of the rise in sea levels (as pointed out by Ben O above) would be caused by thermal expansion.

Answer 4

of course not! who do U believe?

P.S -don't believe me

Answer 5

yeah man its cool

it wont rise that much though

Answer 6

Ice on the land does, ice that is already floating on the water does not.

Answer 7

Depends on where the ice is.  If the ice is already on top of the water, floating, then it does not make the sea level rise.  But if the ice is on top of Antarctica and it melts and falls into the ocean, then yes, it does make the sea level rise.

It's like if you have a glass of ice water filled to the top and when the ice melts, it won't overflow.  But if you melt ice above the full cup and the water goes into the cup, the water will overflow.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

Actually I think ONLY the part of the sea ice that is historically below the water  "does not contribute to sea level rise".  The part above water, and all of the land ice (which is most of it) does contribute to sea level rise.

There is also a small difference in the volume of fresh water versus salt water, so the rate of mixing is a critical factor.  The melting of the ice will also cause drastic changes in the flow of the major ocean currents, as the cold type all originate beneath sea ice now.  

Fortunately the sea level changes associated with Global Warming are the one thing we don't have to guess about.  Once the melting AND the mixing are complete North America will look about as it did the last time the ice melted, shown in the first link.  I apologize that I don't have maps of other areas on hand but the impact is similar.  The second link illustrates that.

Answer 10

yes..all the water formed due to melting of ice(polar caps) as well as mountains find their way to the ocean. now depending on how much of this evaporates and goes back to the land as snow and clouds will determine to what extent the sea level will rise.

Answer 11

It's more to do with the water in the oceans expanding as it warms, but the sea level rises and falls without any help from humans.  It's been rising since the last ice age.

Answer 12

ice, is water in solid form. We know that the visible ice in the poles are above sea level. If these ice melt, they will certainly be part of the sea. the former mass of ice will be collected to the sea. sea level will rise.

its true.

Answer 13

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!,some parts of world,the sea level is rising,then on the other hand,the other side of the world,the sea level have dropped.The red sea and rivers are drying up too.The earth changes its face every so many years.Nobody knows as we have just done researches on climate and sea level researches.

Answer 14

Uh ya. Duh. where else is it going to go? obviously it's going to rise!

Answer 15

NOT if it is ocean surface ice--- fill a glass with ice and water. Let the ice melt in the glass-- the water level stays the same.

Answer 16

Yes it does. It makes it rise because if you add water to your cup it's rising right? So is the ocean when the ice is melting and giving away water. If the water reaches to the mountain tops we die/drown, there will be too much water and it is overflowing the earth with water. If you melt a cube of ice, you can see it gives away water when you see it melt.