If the polar ice caps melted, would it really flood the world?

[madocca12]

This concept has often been entertained in various works of fiction, but is it really a plausible concept, from a scientific standpoint?

Think about it: Ice actually has more volume than water does. That's why it's able to float in water: It's the same mass as water, but greater volume, so the density is less.

If the polar ice caps melt, it seems that the sea level might actually decrease, because the volume of the solid water will go down. It's the volume that counts, isn't it? Not the mass or density.

Thoughts?

 

[anjville]

This concept has often been entertained in various works of fiction, but is it really a plausible concept, from a scientific standpoint?

Think about it: Ice actually has more volume than water does. That's why it's able to float in water: It's the same mass as water, but greater volume, so the density is less.

If the polar ice caps melt, it seems that the sea level might actually decrease, because the volume of the solid water will go down. It's the volume that counts, isn't it? Not the mass or density.

Thoughts?

In my own viewpoint, I think we also need to consider the state of matter it will undergo. Ice has a greater volume than water because it is in its solid phase. Of course, the density is lower than the volume that's why it is floating. However, due to global warming which is the main cause of the fast transition of these ice caps to its water phase by melting then it is now in its liquid form. It will not make any difference at all when compared to the sea because it will be part of that body of water. Still the sea level will rise and the whole world will be affected from it. The rate of the rising sea level is increasing every year - 1mm to 2mm approximately.

 

[pinoycity]

No, I don't think, the whole world will get flooded once the ice in our poles melt. There are still some high grounds that the floods will not be able to reach. But I think, these areas are limited and will not be able to assist all people.

 

[phurpa9]

I dont know because I am not a scientist but i can say that world will get flooded when all the ice melts as many such circumtances has been seen on different part of the world, for example Mumbai many part of India get cuuted by water every year.

 

[dwhizz]

Do you know that every year sea level arises? This is the reason why some places on earth never experienced flood are now experiencing it. Ice melts will continue to melt if we failed to fight global warming. This could happen more years to come.

 

[flapiz]

Well what you said makes sense. But the data gathered show otherwise. Furthermore when ice caps melt it ads water to the sea level and not only water but also some rocks, trees, and whatever.