Abstract
THE world sea level is estimated1,2 to be rising by approximately 1 mm yr−1. Attempted explanations3,4 have considered heating of the oceans, release of juvenile water, a reduction in atmospheric humidity and melting of the polar ice sheets. Existing evidence5 does not indicate any pronounced warming of the deep ocean waters, and most of the rise in sea level probably results from wastage of glaciers.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Gutenberg, B., Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., 52, 721 (1941).
Lamb, H. H., World Survey of Climatology (edit. by Flohn, H.), 2, 192 (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1969).
Wexler, H., J. Glaciol., 3, 867 (1961).
Giovinetto, M. B., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 86, 347 (1970).
Robinson, M. K., J. Geophys. Res., 65, 2097 (1960).
Swithinbank, C. W. M., Norw.-Brit.-Swed. Ant. Exp., Sci. Res., 3 (Norsk Polarinstitutt, Oslo, 1957).
Crary, A. P., IGY Glaciol. Rep Series, 5 (1961).
Crary, A. P., J. Glaciol., 5, 129 (1964).
Wexler, H., J. Glaciol., 3, 626 (1960).
Shumskiy, P. A., and Zotikov, I. A., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 61, 225 (1963).
Thomas, R. H., Survey Review, 20, 322 (1970).
Budd, W., J. Glaciol., 6, 335 (1966).
Paige, R. A., J. Glaciol., 8, 170 (1969).
Behrendt, J. C., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 86, 488 (1970).
Dorrer, E., Hofmann, W., and Seufert, W., J. Glaciol., 8, 67 (1969).
Heap, J., and Rundle, A., Ant. Res. Series, 2, 119 (published by Amer. Geophys. Union, 1964).
Zumberge, J. H., Ant. Res. Series., 2, 65 (1964).
Robin, G. de Q., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 79, 265 (1968).
Robin, G. de Q., Swithinbank, C. W. M., and Smith, B. M. E., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 86, 97 (1970).
Swithinbank, C. W. M., Int. Assoc. Sci. Hydrol., 86, 472 (1970).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
THOMAS, R., COSLETT, P. Bottom Melting of Ice Shelves and the Mass Balance of Antarctica. Nature 228, 47–49 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1038/228047a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/228047a0
This article is cited by
-
Effect of climatic warming on the West Antarctic ice sheet
Nature (1979)
-
Effect of glacial ice melting on the Antarctic Surface Water
Nature (1979)
-
Evidence from the Ross Sea for Widespread Submarine Erosion
Nature Physical Science (1972)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.