What happens to Earth if all glaciers melt
Global warming could significantly change our planet (photo: Getty Images)
The global sea level is rising each year, but if all of the Earth’s glaciers were to melt completely due to global warming or other climate changes, the consequences could be catastrophic for humanity, ecosystems, and the planet as a whole.
How Earth would change if the glaciers melted
According to researchers, if all the glaciers on our planet were to melt, the countries most affected would be those situated at lower elevations relative to sea level.
Small northern European nations like the Netherlands, Denmark, and Estonia could almost completely disappear.
Ukraine would, in absolute terms, lose a significant portion of its landmass — potentially more than any other country in Europe.
Changes that may occur in Ukraine (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
In contrast, Mediterranean countries might suffer less due to their topography.
Probable image of other European countries (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
In North America, once the Atlantic Ocean as we know it is gone, areas like Florida, the entire Gulf Coast, and cities such as New York, Charleston, and New Orleans could be submerged.
Meanwhile, some scientists believe the hills of San Francisco in California could transform into a cluster of islands.
North America (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
In South America, the Amazon basin in the north and the Paraguay River basin in the south could merge into a single Atlantic inlet, potentially wiping out Buenos Aires, the coast of Uruguay, and much of Paraguay.
South America (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
Africa, compared to other continents, may lose the least amount of land. However, the rise in sea level could elevate air temperatures globally, rendering much of the continent almost uninhabitable.
Egypt, Alexandria, and Cairo could be swallowed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
In Asia, China, Bangladesh, and much of India's coastline might face a fate similar to that of European cities.
Some cities may go completely underwater (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
In Australia, the melting of glaciers could lead to the formation of a new sea within the continent, while much of the narrow coastal strip where many Australians live could vanish underwater.
Australia (screenshot: youtube.com/@InsiderScience)
Previously, we reported that global warming could radically alter Europe’s climate.
Read also about why tropical rains might shift northward and which countries could face catastrophic consequences as a result.
Sources: National Geographic, YouTube channel Insider Science.
