Melting of Antarctic ice shelves is set to double by ________, according to a new study by WHOI.

a. 2030

b. 2050

c. 2070

d. 2090

ANSWER: 2050

Explanation:

Melting of Antarctic ice shelves will increase to double the current amount by 2050 and around 2100, melting may surpass all previous predictions if GHG emissions persist at current rate. Ice shelves are floating extensions of the massive land based ice sheets of the continent. Melting or breakup of floating ice shelves will not raise sea level, but this will have a “door stop” effect wherein the flow of ice will slow from glaciers and ice sheets into the ocean which will stop rising sea levels. WHOI researchers are indicating how rapidly melting ice in Antarctica can intensify in a warming climate.