Verge 8 (2011-2012)

West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) Collapse and Future Impacts on Sea Level Rise – Driven Migration on the United States Atlantic Coast

“Sea levels along the United States Atlantic Coastline will rise an additional 10 to 12 inches by 2050 with specific amounts varying regionally, mainly due to land height changes. Areas along the United States Atlantic Coast are most vulnerable to sea level rise due to the low-lying topography, high economic value, and relatively high storm frequency.”

“There are two major causes of global sea level rise: increased melting of land-based ice, such as glaciers and ice sheets, and thermal expansion caused by warming of the ocean. However, there is one specific event that poses the most immediate threat of a large rise in sea levels: the potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.”

“The melting of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and the potential collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet will continue to contribute to sea level rise for a long period of time and will test the adaptive capacity of humanity.”