Glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica to Melt 10 Times Faster Than Earlier Predicted: Study

A latest study conducted by a former climate scientist of NASA along with 16 co-authors presented a very gloomy picture of the world's sea levels in the coming future. Glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica are going to melt 10 times faster than predicted earlier, revealed the study.

Projections of the study are based on an anticipated accelerated melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica due to rising atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

The conclusions given by the study showed that if the glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland melted at rapid speed then it would ultimately result in sea level rise of at least 10 feet in as few as 50 years.

It has been said that the study is not peer reviewed yet, but it is generating a lot of thought about the future of the world's oceans as well as is also helping to know the fate of the human and animal populations that depend on their current state.

The study highlighted that when a glacier melt, cooler fresh water forces warmer salt water under the ice sheets, which results in even fast melting of the glacier.

Hansen called it as a vicious circle, and Hansen says he hopes the findings will help persuade governments and large organizations to enact change, more than previous studies have.

The researchers for the study used a combination of paleoclimate records, computer models and observations of contemporary sea level rise.

The paper will be published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, which is an open-access journal to encourage discussion, and it is important to note it will not be formally peer reviewed before it appears online.

The projections of the study are based on an anticipated accelerated melting of ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica due to rising atmospheric concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.