According to the latest news from the Glacier Center in the United States, the world's largest iceberg, A68a, has completely melted and split. Although most people attribute this to global warming, in reality, this is not the case.
The glacier has broken into fragments and the largest fragment of the glacier has exceeded the minimum traceable size. It has traveled 1,500 km in three years and its size continues to shrink.
Melting glaciers
Expert research indicates that the separation of A68a from the continental ice sheet is a natural phenomenon. Additionally, during the decomposition process, experts placed two gliders on the iceberg to track and assess the iceberg. From here we can conclude the impact of melting icebergs on freshwater discharge from surrounding areas.What does it mean for a glacier to melt? It can be converted into 1.15 billion tons of fresh water, and the Yangtze River, in Chine, flows into the East China Sea with 950 billion tons of water each year. Equivalent to filling 15 Qinghai lakes. This iceberg is enormous, equivalent to almost 40% of China's total fresh water.
What impact can glaciers have? This creates fresh water shortages. Originally, 3% of the planet's fresh water could meet the needs of all humanity. But 3/4 of fresh water remains in glaciers, and 90% of these glaciers are stored in Antarctica. If the glaciers melt more and more, there will soon be no more fresh water available for the population.
Melt of glaciers
The melting of glaciers will seriously disrupt the normal drainage of rivers. When river water overflows, surrounding areas will become floodplains. Because these water resources are not fully utilized, people in surrounding areas often leave their homes. As the fresh water continuesto increase, areas below sea level are seriously threatened.Plus, as glaciers melt, polar bears and penguins are on the verge of becoming homeless. They are about to survive in an unfamiliar environment. The time needed to adapt to the environment is long and they cannot afford this price.
And the current coral reefs in the sea will disappear as sea levels rise, and the fish and other marine life hiding there will also be displaced. This will directly affect the production and lives of coastal residents and even their food sources.
Melting of glaciers
The power of rivers depends on the melting of glaciers in high mountains. When the glaciers disappear completely, the energy will be exhausted and hydroelectric power will no longer work. no longer exist. Without electricity, many industries would have to diel to survive.
The melting of glaciers has a huge impact on human beings. Everyone should always pay attention to environmental protection. Although there are some immediate difficulties, it is nonetheless important to avoid losing long-term interests in the pursuit of small profits.
The slope with the greatest rate of retreat of the glacial zone is the southern slope.
The Qilian Mountains constitute a typical continental distribution area of glaciers. During the last century, glaciers were mainly in retreat after the Little Ice Age, especially between the 1960s and 1970 until 2013. , who was in a state of accelerated retirement. The latest study found that the area of glaciers has retreated by an average of 35.6% over the past 50 years.
Global climate change is today's problemOne of the ecological and environmental problemsThe most serious environmental change facing humanity is the changing glaciers in the Qilian Mountains. For the Hexi region of Gansu province, which suffers from water shortages and a fragile ecological environment, its ecological and environmental effects are particularly important for the industry. and agricultural production and people's lives.
From June 25 to 29, 2019, the average temperature in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, exceeded 22 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days. According to weather standards, it was the first time Lhasa ushered in global warming. meteorological event since weather records began in 1955. “summer”. The Tibetan Plateau is warming and glaciers are also showing an accelerated melting trend.
Glacial Glacial retreat:
Glacial deglaciation, also known as glacier retreat, refersnce to the gradual warming of the global climate. . Due to other factors, the area and volume of glaciers have decreased significantly, and some have even disappeared. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced at low and mid latitudes. Scientists predict that by 2050, more than a quarter of the planet's glaciers will disappear. The world must urgently take action to curb the trend of global warming and protect glaciers.
As mountain glaciers recede, most regions that rely on glacier runoff as a source of water supply will experience a serious water shortage crisis. The Quelccaya ice cap is the traditional water supply source for Lima, the capital of Peru. The glacier is retreating at a rate of 30 meters per year. Before 1990, the rate of glacier retreat was only 3 meters per year. supplying tens of thousands of city residents.Most of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia rely on meltwater from Andean glaciers for urban water and hydroelectric power.
However, the accelerated retreat of glaciers constantly threatens the normal life of the inhabitants of this region. Some regions have started to experience water shortages and conflicts over water use.