I had a challenging equation I needed to sort out in a recent math class. I was tasked with estimating how much the sea level might rise if either the Arctic or Antarctic ice caps were to completely melt. I started to do the math, not thinking about the end result immediately. Once I had finished, the numbers were startling. I then realized that I live in a location that would be about only half as close to sea level if such an event occurred.
I should also add that I am not sold on the idea of global warming at it's face value, only certain aspects of it.
Let's do the math.
The average radius of the earth is 3,960 miles. We find the surface area of Earth using the formula 4πr2. The result is ~197,054,985 sq. mi.
Since 71% of Earth's surface is water, that would be ~139,909,039 sq. mi.
To approximate the potential rise in sea level, we divide the total volume of ice cap (~680,000 cu. mi.) by the surface area of the oceans (~ 139,909,039 sq. mi.), which gives us a potential rise of ~28.29 ft. in sea level.
The impact of this rise in sea level would overtake all existing coastline and create new coasts where the land currently resides around 25 ft. above sea level. Looking at topographical maps of Boston, New Orleans and San Diego, I am certain that these cities would be forever changed by an event such as this. In places like Florida where much of the land is relatively close to sea level, the impact could be massive. In other locations like the American West coast, the less land might be claimed by the sea.
If the Antarctic ice cap were to melt as well, it could have a much greater impact. To approximate the potential rise in sea level, we divide the total volume of ice cap (~6,300,000 cu. mi.) by the surface area of the oceans (~ 139,909,039 sq. mi.), which gives us a potential rise of ~237.75 ft. in sea level.
How much of this area of ice is above sea level and to what height? How much is below sea level and what is its density? What is the effect of this salt free water being injected into a system of currants that are salt based? How can this be reversed at a tremendous profit?
ReplyDeleteDarren
darren@darrenlovelace.com
Good questions, Darren. I didn't search for those points when I did the math, but I'd be glad to entertain some additional sources on the topic.
ReplyDeleteAs for a way to reverse the cycles of warming and cooling, humans have a problem with ego where they believe that our actions somehow are responsible for a series of cycles that have existed since long before we discovered fire, yet we are somehow responsible for the global warming. We have simply advanced our knowledge to the point it is at a time when the Earth is warming from the last ice age, and it will at some point begin to cool again. Read more on Milankovitch cycles:
http://www.eoearth.org/article/Milankovitch_cycles