What Would Happen If All the Ice in Antarctica Melted?

TLDRIf all the ice in Antarctica melted, sea levels would rise by around 60 meters, resulting in widespread flooding across the globe. The salinity of the ocean would be altered, disrupting marine populations and weather patterns. The land of Antarctica, once the ice is removed, would reveal a collection of mountainous islands and a large highland region. However, the continent would still be inhospitable with frigid temperatures and lack of arable land. Antarctica could become a hub for mining, with abundant resources such as coal, oil, iron, copper, platinum, gold, silver, and uranium. The governance of Antarctica and its resources is currently undecided.

Key insights

❄️If all the ice in Antarctica melted, sea levels would rise by around 60 meters, resulting in widespread flooding.

🌊The melting of the ice in Antarctica would alter the salinity of the ocean and disrupt marine populations and weather patterns.

🏔️Antarctica, once the ice is removed, would reveal a collection of mountainous islands and a large highland region.

🌍Antarctica contains abundant resources, including coal, oil, iron, copper, platinum, gold, silver, and uranium.

🗺️The governance of Antarctica and its resources is currently undecided, with multiple countries laying claims.

Q&A

What would happen if all the ice in Antarctica melted?

Sea levels would rise by around 60 meters, causing widespread flooding across the globe. Coastal areas and low-lying regions would be submerged, displacing 1 to 2 billion people.

How would the salinity of the ocean be affected?

The melting of the ice in Antarctica would alter the salinity of the ocean, which could disrupt marine populations and lead to the extinction of sensitive species, such as corals.

What would be left after the ice is removed from Antarctica?

The removal of the ice would reveal a collection of mountainous islands and a large highland region. Antarctica would resemble Australia and the Malay archipelago, with a flatland surrounded by more mountainous islands.

What resources are found in Antarctica?

Antarctica is rich in resources, including coal, oil, iron, copper, platinum, gold, silver, and uranium. These resources have remained untapped, but their potential is significant.

Who governs Antarctica and its resources?

Currently, multiple countries have laid claims on Antarctica, but these claims are tenuous and likely to be ignored if real land emerges. The governance of Antarctica's resources is yet to be determined.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Antarctica is mostly known for ice and penguins, but there's more to it than meets the eye.

02:34If all the ice in Antarctica melted, sea levels would rise by around 60 meters, resulting in widespread flooding across the globe.

03:52Antarctica, once the ice is removed, would reveal a collection of mountainous islands and a large highland region.

05:28Antarctica could become a hub for mining, with abundant resources such as coal, oil, iron, copper, platinum, gold, silver, and uranium.

06:36The governance of Antarctica and its resources is currently undecided, with multiple countries laying claims.