NASA | Ask a Climate Scientist: Thinning Ice Sheets

The video discusses the significance of ice thickness in polar science, highlighting the thinning of ice sheets and sea ice. It explains how this thinning, observed through satellite data, contributes to water level changes. The Greenland ice sheet is particularly affected, with thinning occurring mainly along coastlines, leading to sea level rise.

Why is the concept of ice thickness crucial for polar scientists?

• It affects the temperature of the ocean.

• It determines the color of the ice.

• It helps in predicting weather patterns.

• It is essential for understanding spatial changes in ice.

What does satellite data reveal about sea ice?

• Sea ice is unaffected by climate change.

• Sea ice extent is decreasing.

• Sea ice is becoming more colorful.

• Sea ice is increasing in thickness.

How does thinning of ice sheets affect water volume?

• It only affects water volume in small regions.

• It increases water volume over large areas.

• It reduces the water volume significantly.

• It has no effect on water volume.

Where is the Greenland ice sheet thinning the most?

• Along the coastlines.

• In the northern regions.

• In the southern regions.

• In the central regions.

What is the impact of the Greenland ice sheet thinning on sea levels?

• It contributes to a decrease in sea levels.

• It stabilizes sea levels.

• It has no impact on sea levels.

• It contributes to a rise in sea levels.