Asked by Michael Stacy on Jun 16, 2024
Verified
What is a primary reason an increase in glaciers on land would cause sea level to fall?
A) because the temperature of the oceans decreases from cold glacial streams
B) an increase in snow cover causes the atmosphere to heat up which causes more evaporation
C) glaciers depress the land surface, which pulls sea level down with it
D) glaciers tie up large volumes of water that would otherwise be in the sea
Glacial Streams
Streams of meltwater from glaciers, carrying melted ice away from the glacier and often depositing loads of sediment.
Sea Level
The average height of the ocean's surface between high and low tide, used as a reference point for measuring elevation and depth on Earth.
- Familiarize oneself with the correlation between variations in sea levels and geological or climate conditions.
Verified Answer
SG
Shai-li GawneJun 17, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Glaciers act as reservoirs of water that, when expanded, lock away large volumes of water that would otherwise contribute to the sea level. When glaciers grow, they accumulate more snow and ice, effectively removing water from the ocean and storing it on land, which leads to a decrease in sea level.
Learning Objectives
- Familiarize oneself with the correlation between variations in sea levels and geological or climate conditions.