i love manhattan. in my opinion, its one of the greatest cities in the world. people have told me it would "sink" one day as the polar ice caps keep melting. I would be severely devastated if this happens. any proof? will it happen?
2007-06-13 04:52:19 · 7 answers · asked by Baahaa 3 in Environment ➔ Other - Environment
Manhattan, and many other coastal cities may one day be underwater. No-one is saying they will actually sink. There is no proof. However is the level of the ocean rises higher then the street level, it is reasonable to say that the city will be underwater.
This concept comes from the discussions on global warming caused by Carbon Dioxide emissions.
If this warming (Green house effect) exists and takes place on this planet, the Earth's Ice reserves may melt.
If the Earth's Ice reserves (Ice caps, shelves, Glaciers) melt and do not re-freeze, the level of the ocean will be forced to rise.
So while there is no proof; it is reasonable to say this could happen if all of the above statements occur.
In practical human terms, I would guess that the United States of America would not abandon New York City. The elevation of the shore line would be increased as the level of the ocean rose. This would keep the city dry, but still below sea level.
While this is the most likely solution, be aware that the Louisiana city of New Orleans was built this way, below sea level, and no amount of government (NEMA) bashing can fully explain away the immutable fact that cities built below sea level are very susceptible to flooding.
Cheers!
2007-06-13 05:24:24 · answer #1 · answered by erikfaraway 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's entirely possible. A large portion of Manhattan is only 20 feet or less above sea level. If the Greenland Ice Sheet melts, it will cause a 23 foot sea level rise. If we don't start reducing our greenhouse gas emissions soon, this could happen around 2050, certainly no later than 2100. If global warming continues, ice sheets in Antarctica could also melt causing an additional 60 foot sea level rise which would put all of Manhattan underwater.
2007-06-13 12:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Dana1981 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Worse case scenarios indicate a rise of sea level that will not exceed 2.5 feet.
That's a problem for places like Bangladesh but Manhattan will survive.
Why only 2.5 feet?
Believe it or not, it RARELY snows in Antarctica!
In essence, if it weren't frozen, Antarctica would be a desert!
All that snow there was accumulated over the past many centuries of prior times when there was global warming.
As the climate warms, Antarctica will warm also, but will not become warm enough to melt down all that ice. Volcanic activity aside.Such activity will change everything!
The conditions of a warm environment will cause MORE snow in Antarctica where it WILL NOT MELT and the water will be stored there.
2007-06-13 12:27:15 · answer #3 · answered by Philip H 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Most likely. When major parts of Greenland and Antarctica melt. I think it requires a rise of 20 ft in sea level for it to happen. Currently, sea levels are rising at 3mm a year and the rate is increasing. No idea how long before it actually happens though.
2007-06-13 12:02:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anders 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
New Orleans is 10 feet below sea level in places. IF the sea rises to the point of submerging Manhattan i'm sure they'd protect it as best they can.
2007-06-13 12:09:52 · answer #5 · answered by David N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Highly unlikely in reality, despite sensationalized claims you see in the media. Peer reviewed scientific studies do not show a dramatic rise in sea level. However, even assuming that such a rise were to occur and it was of such height so as to submerge Manhattan, measures would be taken to safeguard the area. Many cities exist below sea level. Doubtless that with the value of Manhattan real estate, any necessary measures would be taken.
2007-06-13 12:03:59 · answer #6 · answered by Max 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You never know.
2007-06-13 17:06:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋