The rate at which polar ice sheets are contributing to
sea level rise is faster than previously predicted: some
experts say a full collapse of the West Antarctic Ice
Sheet is conceivable this century. Were this to happen,
the sea level would rise by about 6 meters.
DownloaD Graphic 2
The potential impact of a 5-metre sea level rise in Florida (left) DownloaD Graphic 2
and Southeast Asia (right)
Note: The black lines show the current coast lines. The reconstruction shows that with a 5-metre sea level rise the coastlines would recede drastically,
and cities such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jacksonville, Miami, New Orleans and Rangoon would disappear from the land map.
Credit: W. Haxby/Lamont- Doherty Earth Observatory
CLIMATE CHANGE 15