If the Arctic Ocean warmed up 2 degrees, would sea level rise or fall?
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Excellent question. Assuming most of the Arctic ocean volume is very close to freezing, then a 2 C rise will cause a slight reduction in local volume (thermal expansion at these temperatures for sea water is negative). But, it will be so small as to be undetectable. The rest of the global oceans won’t notice or care.
So my answer is neither.
Agree w/ Chris Y.
IIRC,fresh water is at maximum density at 4C, so I’d guess that it’s volume will reduce, unless salt water differs somewhat?
Hi Adam,
It does differ. Seawater increases in density all of the way down to its freezing point, which is around -1.8C.
Depends on which will be more hysterical and or alarming and/or produce more Govt grants
After I apply Hansenitized adjustments to a temperature rise of 2 degF my adjusted temperature rise becomes 300 degF at which point the Arctic Ocean will start to boil and evaporate away and thus my answer is that sea level will fall. Full disclosure I cheated and used a climate model to get my answer.
The penguins would drink it all.
The polar bears will absorb all the water, as they are drowning 🙁