Sea Level Rise Due to Melting Glaciers

24 Feb 2025

Sea Level Rise Due to Melting Glaciers

A new study published in Nature found that melting glaciers have contributed nearly 2 cm to global sea level rise this century.

About Glaciers

  • Glaciers rank as the second-largest contributor to global sea level rise, following ocean warming. 
  • They are also natural indicators of climate change and play a vital role in many communities, providing vital water resources, especially during dry seasons.

  • About Sea Level Rise: Sea level rise is an increase in the level of the world’s oceans due to the effects of global warming.
  • Causes of Sea Level Rise
    • Glacier and Ice Sheet Melting: Global warming has led to the rapid melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
      • Since 2000, glaciers have lost between 2% and 39% of their ice regionally and 5% globally18% more than the ice lost from Greenland and Antarctica combined.
    • Thermal Expansion of Seawater: Thermal expansion occurs when water expands as it heats up due to rising global temperatures.
      • As oceans absorb more heat, their volume increases, contributing to sea level rise.
      • Warmer oceans cause seawater to expand, contributing one-third to half of global sea level rise (NASA).

Key Findings of the Study

  • Loss of Ice: Over the past 25 years, glaciers have been losing 273 billion tonnes of ice annually.
    • Between 2000 and 2023, the world’s glaciers lost 6.542 trillion tonnes of ice, contributing an 18mm rise in sea levels.
  • Rate of Sea Level Rise: Since 1880, global sea levels have risen by 21 cm.
    • The rate has accelerated from 0.18 cm/year (1993) to 0.42 cm/year (2024).
    • Over 10 cm of sea level rise has been recorded between 1993 and 2024.
  • Regional Variations: The southwestern Indian Ocean experiences a higher-than-average rise at 2.5 mm per year (World Meteorological Organization, 2022).
    • Local factors like ocean heat content and salinity changes cause uneven sea level rise.
  • Impact on India
    • Mumbai: Witnessed a 4.44 cm rise (1987–2021), making it the worst-affected Indian city.
    • Other affected Cities are : Haldia, West Bengal, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh as well as Kochi, Kerala.

Reasons for Concern Due to Sea Level Rise

  • Coastal Flooding and Land Erosion: Increased flooding and coastal erosion can displace communities.
    • The West Bengal coast lost 99 sq km of land between 1990 and 2016 (NCCR Report, 2018).
  • Impact on Coastal Populations: 29% of the world’s population lived within 50 km of the shore in 2018.
    • 15% lived just 10 km from water (Scientific Reports, 2024).
  • Stronger Storm Surges: Rising sea levels increase the intensity of tropical storms, worsening flooding and damage.
  • Threat to Coastal Ecosystems: Mangroves, coral reefs, and salt marshes face degradation.
    • Rising seas contaminate freshwater sources, impacting agriculture and drinking water.
  • Future Projections: If emissions are not curbed, sea levels could rise by 20 cm by 2050doubling the increase of the past century (NASA Statement, 2024).
    • This would result in more frequent and intense floods worldwide.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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