Zombie Ice

Why in the News?

The melting of the Greenland ice sheet will unavoidably raise the global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches or 27 centimetres.

• This is because of ‘zombie ice’, which is certain to melt away from the ice cap and blend into the ocean.

Key Points:

What is ‘zombie ice’?

• Zombie ice is dead or doomed ice that is attached to thicker areas of ice and is no longer getting replenished by parent glaciers.
• The doomed ice is melting from climate change and will inevitably raise seas.

Formation of zombie ice:

• There is an equilibrium state where snowfall from the higher reaches of the Greenland ice cap flows down to recharge edges of the glaciers, and thicken them.
• Over the last several decades there has been more melting and less replenishment.
• This lead to the formation of Zombie ice.

Implication:

• It will raise global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches.

Impact of raising sea levels: 

• Floods, high tides, and storms are more frequent.
• Threat to local economies and infrastructure. 
• Low-lying coastal areas will take a harder hit.
• Contaminate soil and groundwater with salt.

• Threaten wildlife populations that live near shorelines.