Melting of floating ice shelves (ice that originated on the land) does not in itself contribute much to sea-level rise (since the ice displaces only its own mass of water). However it is the outflow of the ice from the land to form the ice shelf which causes a rise in global sea level. This effect is offset by snow falling back onto the continent. Recent decades have witnessed several dramatic collapses of large ice shelves around the coast of Antarctica, especially along the Antarctic Peninsula. Concerns have been raised that disruption of ice shelves may result in increased glacial outflow from the continental ice mass. COUNT 5
QSN1 What type of ice originates on land and floats out to sea? ANS1 floating ice shelves QSN2 What events have occurred in recent decades to the ice shelves surrounding Antarctica? ANS2 collapses QSN3 Along what area has there been more collapsing ice shelves? ANS3 Antarctic Peninsula QSN4 What could the displacement of ice cause? ANS4 glacial outflow QSN5 What weather event would offset loss of ice shelves? ANS5 snow falling