Which of the following would make a greater contribution to rising sea levels?
A) Melting sea ice
B) Melting land-based ice
C) Increased levels of precipitation in some areas
D) Increased levels of atmospheric water vapor
E) Increased levels of global evaporation and transpiration

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Melting land-based ice (such as glaciers and ice caps on Greenland and Antarctica) would make a much greater contribution to rising sea levels than melting sea ice, as the latter is already floating in the ocean and therefore has already contributed to the current sea level. Increased levels of precipitation, atmospheric water vapor, and global evaporation and transpiration can also contribute to rising sea levels indirectly by increasing the total amount of water in the Earth's water cycle, but the direct impact of melting land-based ice is more significant.

Which of the Following Would Make a Greater Contribution to Rising