b"Earths crust responds toglacier weight by subsidingDECREASINGSEA LEVELSThe most intuitive outcome of melting glaciers is an increase in sea levelsee impact #2. However, there are some areas where melting glaciers have decreased sea level. To understand how this is possible, consider that 1) glaciers are heavy, and 2) the Earths crust responds to added weight by subsiding (i.e., sinking). This is similar to how a cargo ship When glaciers melt, the Earth's crust rebounds responds when large containers are being loadedit sits lower in the water. When glaciers melt, the Earths crust rebounds (i.e., uplifts) in response to the reduced load, resulting in raised shorelines (i.e., a drop in sea level). In response to melting glaciers, sea levels off the coast of Alaska have decreased by over 13 mm (about 0.5 inches) per year since the 1930s. 2Along the coast, this has resulted in water table changes, property boundary issues, and the drying out of wetlands. INCREASINGSEA LEVELSMost coastal areas are experiencing an increase in sealevel due to melting glaciers and the thermal expansionof seawater. What If? Since the late 1800s, the global mean sea level has risen 21-24 cm (8-9 inches). Perhaps even more alarming, sea-level rise has acceleratedfrom 1.4 mm per year throughout most What if all glaciers and ice capsof the 20 thcentury to 3.6 mm per year over the first part of the on Earth melted away? 21 stcentury. 3Some models predict Rising sea levels have already started to wreak havoc. sea level would rise Hurricane storm surges can reach further inland, and regular high-tide flooding (i.e., nuisance flooding) in the U.S. has 70 meters increased by up to 900% since the 1970s. 3or Many coastal areas are in danger of becoming permanently 230 feetflooded. Depending on the projection model used, sea level 4may rise between 0.3 meters (1 foot) to nearly 2 meters (6.5 feet) by 2100. 1Floods that were occurring once per century along coastal areas may soon become annual events.Whos Minding the Planet? 17"