SOLUTION: If the global climate were to warm
significantly as a result of the greenhouse effect or
other climatic change, the Arctic ice cap would start
to melt. This ice cap contains the
Question 407832: If the global climate were to warm
significantly as a result of the greenhouse effect or
other climatic change, the Arctic ice cap would start
to melt. This ice cap contains the equivalent of some
680,000 cubic miles of water. More than 200 million
people live on land that is less than 3 feet above sea
level. In the United States several large cities have
low average elevations. Three examples are Boston
(14 feet), New Orleans (4 feet), and San Diego (13
feet). In this exercise you are to estimate the rise in
sea level if the Arctic ice cap were to melt and to
determine whether this event would have a significant
impact on people living in coastal areas.
(a) The surface area of a sphere is given by the formula
where r is its radius. Although the
shape of Earth is not exactly spherical, it has an
average radius of 3960 miles. Estimate the surface
area of Earth.
(b) Oceans cover approximately 71% of the total surface
area of Earth. How many square miles of
Earth’s surface are covered by oceans?
(c) Approximate the potential rise in sea level by
dividing the total volume of the water from the
ice cap by the surface area of the oceans. Convert
your answer from miles to feet.
(d) Discuss the implications of your calculation.
How would cities such as Boston, New Orleans,
and San Diego be affected?
(e) The Antarctic ice cap contains some 6,300,000
cubic miles of water. Estimate how much the sea
level would rise if this ice cap melted. Answer by soteriag777(1) (Show Source):
(