Scientists are predicting that Antarctica’s western ice sheet may be actually melting faster than previously expected. Scientists have developed physics-based simulations that can forecast melting of ice in different areas. The focus of the simulations in the article were targeting the area of Western Antarctica. The simulation states that in the worst scenario possible, the sea level in that area could raise 18-34 inches by 2100. This amount is higher than predicted a few years ago. The article states that if the world is able to control greenhouse gas emissions to levels they pledged in the past, then the sea level rise will still be 3-12 inches higher than previously predicted. These predictions bring a new alarming fact that needs more and more attention to control the future sea levels. The simulations are also predicted by the year 2500, the sea level could be a total of 42 feet higher. This is a huge problem because that big of a sea level rise will likely flood the entire world. Antarctica is a rather difficult area for scientists to predict because the ice is a lot thicker and melts at a slower rates than other ice areas. It will be interesting to see what the future holds with ice melting and the way it affects sea level rises.

Article:

“Study: Antarctic Ice May Melt Faster Than Expected.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 2016. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/03/30/science/ap-us-sci-antarctica-melt.html>.