News in Brief Oceans

Glacier melt causes large fraction of sea level rise

Thawing ice contributes nearly as much water to oceans as massive sheets at poles do

THAWING OUT  Melting of the world's glaciers (Argentina's Upsala Glacier, shown) contributed 29 percent of sea level rise from 2003 to 2009, a new analysis finds. 

Courtesy of Etienne Berthier

By Erin Wayman

- More than 2 years ago

Melting glaciers around the world, discrete from the polar ice sheets, accounted for 29 percent of sea level rise from 2003 to 2009, scientists report in the May 17 Science.