The continent of Antarctica is rising much faster than it should, and this could cause serious problems for the entire world.
A continent is rising and this could have serious consequences. Antarctica, normally seen as a huge mass of stable ice, is starting to rise very quickly, something that should take thousands of years, but is now happening in just a few decades. And this rapid change can have major impacts, especially on rising sea levels, which worries scientists (a lot!).
Just imagine: the Antarctica is losing weight because of climate change. As temperatures rise, the ice is melting faster, which is causing the continent to rise. This phenomenon, called post-glacial uplift, should be a super slow process, but now it's happening really fast. And this is not just a technicality – the impact of this could be enormous for the whole world.
Solid part that lies beneath the ice layer of the Antarctica is disappearing
Os Scientists have discovered that the Earth's mantle, that solid part that lies beneath the Antarctic ice sheet is deforming much faster than expected. Normally, this part of the planet should respond to melting ice over thousands of years, but for some reason it is responding in just a few decades. AND This discovery came as a real shock to the scientific community, which published the results in the journal Science Advances.
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If global warming continues to be controlled, sea levels could rise by up to 1,7 meters by the year 2500
To get a better idea of what this means, researchers carried out 3D simulations to predict what could happen to sea level. If global warming continues to be controlled, sea levels could rise by up to 1,7 meters by the year 2500. Now, if we don't do anything to stop warming, this rise could reach an impressive 19,5 meters. That's fucking water!
The situation is serious because when the ice retreats more than the land rises, more water is released into the oceans. This means that coastal areas and low-latitude islands such as Kiribati, which are already experiencing problems with rising sea levels, could suffer even more. And we're not just talking about a local problem, but something that could affect regions around the world.
Some Brazilian cities face similar challenges
In Brazil, there is no city that is exactly the same as Kiribati in terms of geography and risk, but some Brazilian cities face similar challenges due to rising sea levels. Coastal cities like Recife PE), Sao Luis (MA) e Rio de Janeiro - RJ) have areas that are vulnerable to flooding and coastal erosion, especially in lower-lying communities close to sea level.
Scientists are making it clear that time is running against us. Actions to reduce global warming are more urgent than ever. the future of Antarctica and sea level depends on choices we make now. What should be a slow, natural process is becoming further proof that climate change is altering our planet in ways no one expected. – and these changes could have serious consequences for all of us.
Do you think that these Brazilian cities, such as Recife, São Luís and Rio de Janeiro, are prepared to face the challenges that rising sea levels can bring? What measures do you believe should be taken to protect these vulnerable areas? Comment what you think about it!