North pole ice caps melting?

Question

Based on the latest news the north pole is melting more than ever. Can someone please tell me; if the north pole were to completely melt what is the worst case scenario for the Earth? I understand that the sea may rise a few inches but how will this affect the overall weather?

Answer 1

the likelihood of the North Pole being ice free this summer is actually quite slim. There are only a few weeks left where the sun is high enough to melt ice at the North Pole. The sun is less than 23 degrees above the horizon, and by mid-August will be less than 15 degrees above it. Temperatures in Greenland have been cold this summer, and winds are not favorable for a repeat. Currently, there is about one million km2 more ice than there was on this date last summer.

Answer 2

Whether all the polar ice will melt is still being debated, but if it does then there will be several consequences:  firstly, if only the sea ice melts it will make very little difference to sea level, and much of this will be due to thermal expansion of the water, but if the icecaps on Greenland melt, it is another matter.  The sea ice is very thin this summer according to some reports, which suggests that it could melt - but the report below was published in June, and may not be up to date.

The effects on climate are more difficult to predict - certainly without ice the water will warm up more becuase less heat will be reflected away.  It has been suggested that it may also disrupt the Thermohaline circulation, which could have the effect of making it cooler at some places than it is now.  Warmer water also means more violent storms.

Answer 3

Sea level will rise more than a few inches. (Other glaciers will melt too.)

The loss of all that reflective surface will accelerate total warming.

Ocean currents may change,

The jet streams seems to be moving north in the northern hemisphere,

and south in the southern. (Storm tracks change).

The atmosphere will be generally more active, (more and stronger storms, tornados etc.).

The patterns will change, but it's too complicated for easy prediction.

Answer 4

guys guys guys, the Earth has been heating up for literally over 5000 years. there is absolutely nothing we can do to prevent it. We can slow it down, but it will still continue. The sun will get bigger, and when that happens we will know it XD

Answer 5

Though global warming is appearing to be true, the earth may be heading for a mini-ice age called "Maunder Minimum" which may last next few decades if true. There was a forecast that north polar ice may completely melt this summer but it refused to melt as ordered. Please read http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/08/15/...

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maunder_Min...

Answer 6

First, the Arctic ice is not melting more than ever.  The melt is well behind last year.

Also, the whole north pole ice could melt and it would not increase sea level at all.  The old ice cubes in a glass of water trick.

The worst case scenario is that it would freeze up again and close the shipping lanes.

Grow up.

Answer 7

global warming is causing it. the air pollution is breaking the ozone layer and rays of sun are getting directly into the earth and melting everything. that's why it gets hotter and everything is getting dry. now fall and winter come late because its hot. if the north pole completely melted that would mean a lot of the usa would be underwater and many other countries too. that's why we should stop global warming because if we don't soon the whole world would be underwater.